Soli Deo Gloria

thank you for the reminder

2006-09-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

"Day by day, and with each passing moment

Strength I find to meet my trials here

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause, for worry or for fear,

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Give unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest."

Random Tidbits

2006-04-26T06:47:00.000-05:00

Father, God of heaven and earth,

Thank You for being the Almighty One; the One in control of everything. You are so big, yet You care for the so small. I sit in Your creation amazed and in awe of Your creativity.

Thank You for your many blessings. Thank You for providing me with daily needs. God, thank You for teaching me to know that You are my life line; I am living for You. That there is nothing I need to worry about when I follow You closely. Thank You for answering prayers. Thank You that You and I can communicate directly and You look at the heart of what I am saying instead of how well it's said.

May I live every moment in Your presence, O Lord. May I walk along side with the Holy Spirit and be a part of Thy will being done.

In Jesus' holy name,
Amen.

_____________________________________________________________________
Just some random tidbits:

-I asked for help in rising early and sleeping early, and the Lord has helped with that. Not only has He put people in my life to remind me, but He wakes me in the morning. =)

-The job I have is a blessing. Sometimes when it's crunch time, I fail to remember that the Lord is providing for me and teaching me things along the way. Rejoice in the Lord, always! Again I say, rejoice!

-Loving some people is so difficult. But I think it get's all clouded over when I find them difficult because I'm judging them upon my expectations. I need to learn to see each individual as a person hand crafted by God-- oh boy do I need help on this one.

-Reconciliation is something a friend and I have been talking about and we've recognized that it's something our church really needs. But we also know that it needs to begin with us. There are people in our lives that we need to reconcile with. Yet, after having that discussion and praying about it, and even having a little action plan, we've yet to carry through. Why are we so weak? God, I know You would want this... please present us with those opportunities again and may we have courage in You to do this.

-The financial part of being a grown up is not so fun. The past few months I've been crunching numbers in my head, on paper, spreadsheets, etc... But I know God provides just enough for me each month to do what He wants me to do. If I don't have money to do something, either I'm not supposed to do it, or something I did earlier in the month wasn't what God intended. God helps me balance my books. =p

-Time off from being a part of a ministry at church as been a struggle. At first, it was so difficult to tear myself away from all that I loved doing. But that might have been the exact problem God's been trying to point out to me: I love doing. This past while has been a time of learning how to 'be'; being instead of doing. As the days go by though, I am very slowly inching to enjoy my quiet down times, especially my quiet moments with God in the morning. It's also helped me refocus a bit of what ministry really is. My life is a ministry... at least that's a concept I'm chewing through. =) We'll see what revelations I get...

-In a few days Chris and I will be celebrating one year together. It seems that time has really flown by; it certainly doesn't feel like a year has gone by. But thinking about it, a year is just 365 days. Thank You, God, for bringing us together. It's been a wonderful year of many blessings. Thank you, bunches, for loving me just as I am. =) As we continue walking side by side on this journey with the Lord, may we be faithful to His Word and let Jesus Christ shine brightly through us. And may that 365 days multiply to four billion infinity plus one! *wink wink!* =p

-Sitting back and thinking about my life has been good this morning. =) Thank You Lord for putting things back into perspective.

-I'm know off on another day of work. It's crazy time at work because exams are coming around the corner. Micah 6:8--He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Amen, to that.

Deut. 9-11

2006-04-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

Deuteronomy 10:17-22
For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.

Deuteronomy 11:18-19
You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today;
and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.

God, I believe that every day you bring me upon Your words for a reason. And no doubt today what sticks out is that I don't carry Your words with me at all times; not only physically carrying a Bible, but not in my heart, and then not reflective in my actions because of such. I am ashamed Father, and I ask for forgiveness. I desire to grow in You, God. May I meditate on Your Word day and night, wherever I am. The teaching them to future generations also strikes a chord in me. How am I thinking that I could teach these young ones when I myself don't have things to teach? Is Jesus shining through me?

Am I a witness of God's will or am I going to be a witness for God's will?

Soli Deo Gloria.

Deut. 7-8

2006-04-21T08:17:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Deuteronomy 7:6-11
"For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face. Therefore, you shall keep the commandment and the statutes and the judgments which I am commanding you today, to do them.

Deuteronomy 8:2-6
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

Manna, because He wanted them to know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. Hmmmm... food for thought.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Deut. 5-6

2006-04-20T08:25:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Deuteronomy 5:7-10
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:13-14
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant or your ox or your donkey or any of your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you, so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

Deuteronomy 5:33
You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:13
You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.

Deuteronomy 6:16
You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.

Deuteronomy 6:25
It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Deut.3-4

2006-04-18T05:09:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

O Lord, You are my God and my King.
and I will always bless Your Holy Name.
Singing alleluia, "Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Deuteronomy 3:22
'Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.'

Help me, God, please help me fight all these battles waging in me and around me.

Deuteronomy 3:28
'But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you see.'

Moses pleaded with God to let him cross into the promise land but the Lord was angry with him. I wonder if Moses did all that he did in hopes that God would change His mind about letting him in to the Promised Land.... hmm.... I don't like that thought though. Let me read on and see... =)

Deuteronomy 4:7
For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him?

Deuteronomy 4:9
Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

I need to remember all that the Lord's taught me and use those things to help me make future decisions. I'm going through a phase of many transitions in my life. Sometimes it feels like I'm at a complete loss as to what to do. But let me not forget, God, all that You've taught me; You are faithful and will show me... let me be faithful and follow You.

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 4:29
But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.

With all that is in me, o Lord, I yearn for You. Thank You for loving me just as I am; no matter how dark and ugly I am on the insides, You love me. But I know that You desire for me to be more Christ-like. Jesus was sinless, and You desire for me to sin less and strive in Christlikeness.

Deuteronomy 4:31
For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.

Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Deut. 1-2

2006-04-17T08:31:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Deuteronomy 1:17
You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God's.

Deuteronomy 2:7
For the LORD your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing.

These two chapters so far has been a time of reflection. A good example of what we need in our lives; sit down and think back to all that the Lord has done. So many transitions right now in my life... I'm reminded of Henry Blackaby's concept of "spiritual markers". I need to look back and see how the Lord has built and shaped me, and grasp it and go! The scary part for me right now is that "go!" could really mean that I need to just 'go' and be still.

Lord, You continue to ask me to be still and know Your presence; to know Your Spirit and His dwelling within me. It feels almost that 'doing' is me, and 'being' is You and I need to stand firm. Give me strength, O Lord, because I know that I will continually be challenged by this.

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.

Num. 32-36

2006-04-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

I've come to the end of Numbers. Looking back, it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it to be. Yes, there were lots of names, but I found it interesting how important the tribes were; it was so crucial to stick with your tribe. I think about nowadays and when I think of tribes I think of divisions by last names. I know in North America it doesn't matter really what your last name is; we're taught equality in this land. In other parts of the world, however, there are still many distinctions by last name, whether it be where you live, what social class you belong to, etc.

On a different level, tribes also remind me of all the different denominations we have under Protestant Christianity. We travel in our little groups claiming acceptance of our ritualistic differences, yet in reality having a difficult time sometimes when we see our differences played out.

At the core of it all though, all the tribes knew that there was only one true God. Sometimes I wonder if we have this snobbish hierarchy of denominations... "such-and-such group is better than "such-and-such"... or ..."this group is more 'sound' than this group"...

Lord, let everything that has breath praise You. It doesn't matter what our skin colour is, what our background is like, what groups we belong to...
Throughout the endless ages, You will be crowned with praises, Lord, Most High.
You will be exalted in every nation, sovereign of all creation, Lord, Most High.
Please, may You be glorified.

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen.

Num. 28-31

2006-04-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

The Lord takes my words very seriously... do I take my own words that seriously?

Lord...
Soli Deo Gloria.

Num. 24-27

2006-04-06T09:10:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 27:15-17
Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd."

Moses set an example for us in looking for leaders. During this time as our church is trying to find new leaders, may we take up this example and pray to the Lord; pray that God will appoint this person to guide like Our humble Shepherd.

Numbers 27:18-20
So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. "You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him."

I found this interesting. I always thought of commissioning someone as a 'send off'. But as I was reading this part about how Moses should 'put some of your authority on him' it makes sense that this transition of leadership requires some process. Passing the baton with process gives the past leader some closure and gives the new leader some authority because the past leader is entrusting the congregation into new hands. Hmmm.... more thought needed.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Num. 20-23

2006-04-05T10:32:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 22:23-33
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand, the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field; but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back into the way. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself to the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall, so he struck her again. The angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right hand or the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his stick. And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Then Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?" And he said, "No." Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. "But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live."

This story always strikes me to be somewhat sad. A donkey is able to see the Lord, but the man cannot. I think that must be me in many situations. There are times when I am so blinded that I can't see God at work, or hear God's voice. And it wasn't only once, but 3 times he was given the chance... God gives me many opportunities too... I pray that I'm not like Balaam.
On a different note, can you imagine conversing with a donkey?! It seemed so natural for Balaam to respond to the donkey... I wonder if an animal started talking to me how I'd react?

Numbers 23:8
"How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
And how can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced?"

Numbers 23:19b
"Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"

As I'm learning more about the character of God, I am to be mindful of loving what the Lord loves, and abhorring what the Lord abhors. And in my actions, be true; do what I say I will do and not make a mockery of the Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria.

LCCF Grads 06

2006-04-05T09:10:00.000-05:00

To the LCCF grads of 2006:

Thank you for sharing your night with me. Seeing you all again brought back so many great memories of my time in Laurier. When I was listening to all the younger ones speak of how you've impacted their lives, I felt a sense of awe that we've all been able to be a part of His will for this campus. I can't believe you guys are all grown up now! I am glad, however, that you are all still very young at heart! =)

And my prayer for you guys is that you will take all your memories with you--all that you've done, all that's been done to you, all that you've learned, all that you are--but not to be sad and miss it, but to cherish them and then continue to make new memories. Take all that the Lord's equipped you with and spread it to your churches, to new "communities". It's the Jesus' disciples--they spent all their time together in those few years, living life together--and then they brought the Good News to others. LCCF is a special blessing, and you are all very special people. Go out! Shine and share the wonders. Be the light of Jesus Christ to them.

I'm serious about gathering the alumni! Keep checking your emails... =)

Congrats you guys! I can't wait til you guys are all back... bring some youth back into my life? haha....

Num. 18-19

2006-04-03T09:47:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

As I read through these two chapters today, I felt that there's something else I need to be doing instead... praying for my brothers and sisters around me who are hurting.

It's been a weekend full of trials and challenges, and so to God, I lift you up.

Dear Lord,

I thank You for being so glorious; that you reign and are victorious throughout the ages and that You will remain victorious to the end. Sometimes, though, we get into places where we feel that there's no way out, but I thank You for Your promise of never giving us more than we can bear. I thank You for knowing all of us individually, even our deepest thoughts and desires.

God, I lift to you those with relational problems. I pray that they may find peace and refuge in You. Lord, like the sermon yesterday, may You put forgiveness in their hearts so that they may be able to forgive those who've hurt them. I pray that Your peace that transcends all understanding be washed upon them and that their trials may not overshadow Your work. Help them persevere and remember that You are faithful. May they be able to trust in You, Lord with all their hearts. That in misunderstandings and difficulties they not rely on their own understanding. May they in all their ways, acknowledge You, the One who makes their paths straight.

For those who have things hanging over their heads, I ask that You sprinkle them with pockets of encouragement and also continue their race. That they may see it as an analogy to their race with You; to press on, and finish strong. Lord, I know You desire that from us. For those ashamed of their mistakes, please reassure them Lord that You don't make mistakes. May we, the people You put here for them, be loving and forgiving, and be reminded too that we are all broken people; that it's okay to be broken, and that You don't love us any less.

Soli Deo Gloria.

In Jesus' name I pray,

~Amen.

Num. 15-17

2006-03-31T11:39:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 16:4-5
When Moses heard this, he fell on his face; and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who is His, and who is holy, and will bring him near to Himself; even the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself."

How bold of Moses to be able to speak on behalf of the Lord. That's faith.... believing that God will stand righteous against injustice. Am I so bold? Am I even a little bold? But not only was Moses bold, he was humble; he fell on his face. There's steadfast boldness in his humility... what a guy. =)

Numbers 17:5a
"It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout.

Numbers 17:8
Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.

Visible signs of the Lord's chosen... what are my visible signs? Do I live a life glowing of the God's grace and mercy? Do I live each moment of my life for Him? Every single moment? A challenge indeed. I long to live for You, O God. But it scares me...

Soli Deo Gloria.

Num. 10-14

2006-03-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 11:1-2
Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out.

The Bible's so clear as to what we need to do... in adversity, do not complain. Do not make the Lord angry, or you shall reap those consequences. In troubles, PRAY, as Moses has set out the example for us. Pray and believe that God will answer.

Numbers 11:23
The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not."

We will be able to test and approve of what we feel that God is doing. Who God is never changes; He will fulfill His will, whether we believe Him or not.

Numbers 12:6-8a
He said,
"Hear now My words:
If there is a prophet among you,
I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision.
I shall speak with him in a dream.
Not so, with My servant Moses,
He is faithful in all My household;
With him I speak mouth to mouth,
Even openly, and not in dark sayings,
And he beholds the form of the LORD."

...Don't have the words to describe the sense of awe I feel...

Numbers 14:11
The LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?

Numbers 14:34
According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition.

I didn't know the forty years was a reflection of the forty days they spied. So much still to learn... but so interesting!

Soli Deo Gloria.

Num. 5-9

2006-03-29T08:25:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.

We hear this during the benediction on Sundays at the end of service, and I always thought that it sounded nice. I didn't know it was from this book though!

Having the Lord's face shine upon me... it reminds of of how Moses face was radiant after speaking with the Lord. Recently I've been more focused on letting Jesus shine through me that I've forgotten that the Lord shines upon me. Thank You, Father, for being gracious upon my life and shining Your beam of love upon me and also giving me just enough light for my next step.

Numbers 9:17-18
Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp. At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped.

How awesome is that? I was thinking how cool it would be that God tells me when to move and when to stay put. There's no guessing involved. But I think again and realize that I too have that guidance, just in a different form. The Holy Spirit dwells in me and prompts me. Sometimes I feel like I'm guessing if that's what He's really saying, but that's a reflection upon myself and not upon God. It shows my lack of wisdom in His Word; The Lord is the same yesterday, the same today, and the same forever... may I learn and be conscious of the Spirit's promptings, and have the assurance that it is the Holy Spirit.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Num. 1-4

2006-03-28T09:28:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Approaching this book of the Bible, I was filled with a bit of dread... Numbers... counting of heads... there was a challenge put out though in the introduction of this book. It said: Remember, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His character did not change between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Think about what you have learned about God from the book of Numbers. Are you living according to His standard of righteousness?

Today I read the first 4 chapters. And honestly, I'm not really sure I picked up anything. God, please reveal to me the significance of You amidst all these numbers and genealogies. I know that these names are important because it shows the Lord's prophecy being fulfilled as it leads up to when Jesus came to earth. And also that the names really show God knowing each person by name and that He loves us all. But I feel like I'm missing something... Show me, Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Lev. 25-27

2006-03-27T09:25:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Leviticus 25:23
The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.

Leviticus 26:12
I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

When I first read chapter 26, I was thinking how cruel and harsh and severe God's punishments can be. But as I reflected on this, I realized that God is very merciful. He gives them so many chances and so many warnings and really desires for us to return to Him.

Leviticus 27:31-33
It, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under teh rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Lev. 23-24

2006-03-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Leviticus 23:22
When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 23:27-29
On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God. If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people.

This passage struck me with the last part about humility. I am reminded of the deeper rooted issue of not following His Word; it's not just a matter of not doing something physically, it's a matter of the heart--a heart that has yet to be humble before the Lord.

Leviticus 24:22
There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the LORD your God.

There's only one standard that matters; not mine, not anyone else's but the Lord's. So why is it that I try so hard to make everyone happy and meet their standards? I need to develop in my focus on God.

Turn my eyes upon You, Jesus. I want to look in Your wonderful face. The things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of Your glory and grace.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Lev. 19-22

2006-03-23T11:11:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Leviticus 19:30
You shall keep My sabbaths and revere My sanctuary; I am the LORD.

Leviticus 20:7-8
You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the LORD your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Leviticus 20:26
Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.

Molding some of my thoughts from yesterday, I am not the one who initiates the consecration. The Lord set me apart for Him, and I am to follow and be holy; I need to deny myself, pick up my cross to follow humbly after Him. This journey used to be so simple. I knew the white and the black and just tried my best to do what is right. But lately, there seems to be so many more gray areas. Lord, simplify my mind, that I may be clear of Your truth.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Lesson Learned

2006-03-23T10:32:00.000-05:00

I learned a good lesson yesterday. During devos yesterday my mind was thinking about consecrating myself before the Lord when I meet with Him in the mornings. But yesterday, I was reminded that I need to consecrate myself and live with the Lord not only as I spend time in His Word, but in every single action and thought of my life.

As I was driving to work yesterday I was stopped by police and issued 2 tickets. The first one was for not stopping fully at a stop sign. The second one was for an expired insurance card. Last week was my dad's birthday and we forgot to replace the old ones with the new ones. And after receiving these I found myself trying to think of ways to get out of it. Ironic that just an hour before I was thinking of needing to consecrate myself. The Lord reminded me that it's not just about that time I set aside with Him, but that it includes every minute of the day that I am to live for His glory.

I continue to struggle today with this. Several people telling me to plead not guilty and try to get out of demerit points... why? It's like the manifestation of my thoughts coming back to haunt me. I know that I didn't fully stop. I know that I am guilty. Yes, it will cost me money, and yes my insurance will go up... but I'm at fault and I deserve it. For people around me... please help me live up to God's standard. Please don't try to tell me otherwise. O God, help me.

Lev. 16-18

2006-03-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Chapter 16 speaks of all the details that need to happen leading up to the day of Atonement. Coming before the Lord requires for us to be consecrated. Do I come before God simply "just as I am"? Has that turned into an excuse for my lack of preparation? Even coming to Him early in the morning, do I prepare for that time by sleeping earlier, by being in the best environment possible by coming not just "as I am" but with "all that I am"? Forgive me Father for my dilly dallies and my floating thoughts. I should be jumping out of bed in anticipation of meeting the Lord in His Word!

Leviticus 18:1:5
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'I am the LORD your God. You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the LORD your God. So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD.'"

It doesn't matter what's behind you, it doesn't matter what is ahead of you; you are to live according to the Lord's ways. If we live accordingly, we shall live in the Lord.

Leviticus 18:22-25
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants.

From all the way back to Moses there's been this issue of sexual immorality, and I'm sure way before that as well. But why in this current age of post-modernism is it alright to do what has been immoral to do for the past ages? Are we really so wise as to bring 'equality' and 'freedom to all'? There is a consequence to every action; you reap what you sow. God clearly says that when the land was defiled, He brought punishment upon it. The Lord will punish this land... makes me fearful of what's to come.

Soli Deo Gloria.

After GG

2006-03-22T00:50:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Tonight in Grad Group we talked about embracing our grieves and losses. I don't know whether it was reading this chapter, or whether it's been suppressed for a long time, but tonight the floodgates opened and all that was inside me tried to rush out at the same time.

This needs some background. I've been battling with an illness the past several years and I had another episode last month. At that point I had to make some pretty tough decisions, and I think the toughest one was to step back from ministry work. It was completely the opposite of who I was--to sit and not serve seemed so foreign. But I knew that God was calling me to do that. I knew that He was nudging me toward leaning solely on Him, learning to just BE, and not be defined by what I do.

Fast forwarding a couple of weeks, I am an utter mess. I feel like I don't know what to do with myself sometimes. This journey of learning to BE is agonizingly difficult. I shared with my group tonight that I feel so fragile, that I've been broken into a thousand pieces both physically and emotionally. I'm trying to cling hard to my Lord, but I'm falling apart. At every turn I feel like I'm fighting a battle. As my group was praying for me tonight, God gave me the image of a baby chick still unhatched. When the time is right, the shell begins to crack and then eventually breaking open. I feel like God breaking down all these barriers I've put up and setting me free.

And I need to embrace that freedom and begin this process of grieving and healing. Lord, show me Your ways O Lord, teach me Your truth. Lead me Lord, in Your everlasting love.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Lev. 13-15

2006-03-21T07:43:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Chapter 13 of Leviticus speaks of leprosy and what to do in various situations. The priests must have been extremely busy people! If this situaion, go and see the priest. If that situation, go and see the priest. Even to the finiest detail it is laid out and everyone of them leads you to see the priest. What does this tell me about who God is? A God of great detail, but also a very loving and holy God. He does not desire for anyone to be unclean. He also wants to prevent outbreaks from happening. If everyone followed the rules laid out, then there wouldn't be an outbreak of leprosy. Problems start happening when every man is for themselves. It reminds me of this avian flu that's spreading. The news was talking about a possibility of a world-wide pandemic. I'm not sure what I'm getting at, but it was something that came to mind.

In the next chapter, it goes on with more priestly duties of making offerings on behalf of the person who has become clean again. God is very just and fair. He's just in the sense that no matter what financial status you're in, you have to make an offering before the Lord. He's fair because even though they have to, He has provisions for those who are poor and have insufficient means.

Leviticus 15:31
Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them.

Soli Deo Gloria.

EHC Ch. 9

2006-03-21T00:16:00.001-05:00

Through the prism of my tears I have seen a suffering God. It is said of God that no one can behold his face and live. I always thought this meant that no one can see his splendor and live. A friend said perhaps it meant that no one could see his sorrow and live. Or perhaps his sorrow is splendor. ~Nicholas Wolterstorff, Lament for a Son

When a ministry dream or opportunity does not work out, it is crucial that we pay attention to our inner life beneath the surface and feel the disappointment before God. When people have a vision to do a new program or ministry and cannot, they need to grieve their limits and humanity before God. ~Peter Scazzero

We think waiting is a parenthesis. It is not. God is working, only we can't see it. Most of us will spend eternity thanking God for prayers that He did not answer. Sometimes, we rebel during the confusing in-between rather than embrace the waiting period in which we find ourselves. The temptation to flee from God, to quit, or to fall into despair is great when it appears God is absent. The good news is that even then God will find us and meet us. ~Peter Scazzero

Lev. 8-12

2006-03-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

Jesu Juva...

Leviticus 9:23-24
Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

When I see the Lord at work, do I just remain in the state of awe, or am I filled with humility as well? The Lord wants us to see and celebrate in His goodness, but to also recognize His power and holiness.

Leviticus 11:44-45
For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.

Earlier in this chapter is all the rules about what can and cannot be eaten so that they were to remain clean. It's been getting me to think more about why certain things are clean and why certain things are unclean. I know that we don't abide by those rules now in present day, and Chinese people eat everything, but there must be its purpose. Perhaps those things are unhealthy for us? Perhaps God is trying to keep our bodies (His temple) clean and healthy? I think to some of those things on the list and I can see why it's 'unclean'. And it reminds me of earlier in this book where they use the fat portions to burn for the offerings. Maybe we're feasting in what society deems 'delicacies' but really, we're grieving the Lord by grieving our own bodies? Do I consecrate myself, set myself apart, for my Lord? Even in what I choose to eat or not eat? Am I making myself unclean? Being on this detox diet the past week and I bit has really put a lot of these thoughts on my mind. =)

Soli Deo Gloria.

new start

2006-03-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

Dear God,
I desire O Lord, to follow hard after You.
Forgive me, Father, for all my failings.
May You increase in me; May You be the only One living in me.
Let my every breath, let all that I am,
never cease to worship You.
In Jesus' powerful name I pray,
Amen.