44 - "Detached From Everything That Numbs Your Sacred Hunger" Exodus 16-18; Matthew 27:10-26

From Rain Clouds Fall Manna - Exodus 17:7

From Lips Fall Teaching Like Rain - Deut 32:2

Just as Jethro's words meant something to Moses, God's promise of nourishment means 40 years of life for the Israelites. 

God rained bread down from the skies---40 years worth. They couldn't hold it over. He forced them to sleep at night and trust it would rain down the next day. He forces us to rest physically. God, please give us all the power to live on the manna You have given us for this day. 

I have spent much of my life denying the pain I feel just about every day. I had given over to way-too-many thoughts that I couldn't see God's Power in five miscarriages and rape and loss of finances and loss of ministry and loss of friends and I could go on. When things go wrong, there's that entitlement within me that says I need a break, deserve better. Enough, LORD. Yes, You are the King. I say so. Matthew 27:11. "Are you the King of the Jews?" 

Here are these Israelites in that kind of a boat. God hears their grumblings, mine too. He gives them manna---40 years worth. They couldn't horde it, couldn't hold it over. He forced them to go to sleep at night and trust that it would rain down the next day. He forces you and me to go to sleep this night and trust His Good Hand. Forces us to rest physically and spiritually. God give all of us the desire and power to live on the manna given this day. 

The drama of the first eighteen chapters of Exodus shows the lengths God must go in order to free weak and helpless people from bondage to an evil power greater than themselves.  God will detach you from  everything that numbs your sacred hunger for Him and makes you feel hungrier for something other than Him."  66 Love Letters.  

God's mercy has led me to repentance.  Mercy triumphs judgment.

PHOTO:  Walking the shore in Bridgeport.  Under the Mercy.

43 - "Moses Was A Prince in A Grant. Press On." Numbers 1-2

#43 Moses was a prince in a grant. Marshalled in rank and file. Moveable. Pitch your tent and pressd on. Pressing on for the prize of Christ Himself and that future state of ours. #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself

Someone said Moses wasn't a geographer, he was a prince in a grant.  Mustered up hundreds of thousands of Israelites.  Marshalled in rank and file, right into squadrons by Divine Appointment.  And the followers, all 600,000+ pitched according to the standards.  Unbelievable!   The Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family." Numbers 2:34 !.  So, what's the point here?  It's our state in this world---moveable.  We pitch our tents and press through no continuing city.  May we live as fellow-pilgrims pressing on for the prize of Christ Himself and that future state of ours.  Pitch together. Press onward.

PHOTO:  Church of the Martyrs in Rome.  May we all pitch according to the standards set.  For His Glory

42 - “Holiness Is Relational Energy More Concerned with Others…” Leviticus 26-27

Hey Kids, "I'll set up my residence in your neighborhood." Lev 26:11 MSG. If we surrender, He is our neighbor. Oh!  

If we confess our sins...wait, when was the last time I repented of sin?  About 15 minutes ago.  I went into the living room to my husband to ask his forgiveness for being very rude to him, but you know what happened?  I sinned again right there cause I didn't like his response.  We have the awesome privilege of going into the Holy of Holies and living no longer curved in.  Repentance isn't just asking someone to forgive me but it's turning from it.  

66 Love Letters: "Think of holiness as relational energy that is more concerned with another's well-being than our own. Think of unholiness as perverted relational energy that is more concerned with our well-being than another's."  

So, as we close the Book of Leviticus, what would holiness look like as we relate to our spouse today?  What would it look like as we relate to our children?  What does it look like this day as we relate to our world?  My prayer for all of us as we end this book is Colossians 1:29:  As you face and embrace some really hard things, may you struggle well with "His Energy that so powerfully works in you." 

So what does the Book of Leviticus stir in you? "These are the commandments which Yahweh commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai." Lev 27:26. 

Given for their joy. Manifested in holy love.  

Look at the Sabbath of these people.  They treat it as holy, do we?  Look at our day, do we profane the moments by not living in them.  Being present before a God Who Sees, and before what is really happening while my soul stirs.  Humble your soul. Lev 23:27. Offer the first fruits of your life. Turn to God first thing when you have a problem. Come to Him first thing when you awake. 

All these sacrifices shadow our privilege of having a relationship with God. 

All these laws, these words spoken protect and provide and prepare the family of God.

The Israelites are stuck at the base of Mt. Sinai. What offering do they bring to God? Obedience. Sacrifice. What offering do we bring to God? Our very selves. I struggle through the words of the sin offerings but there is no struggle through the truth—-we need a Savior. We can sin with our Bibles wide open.

This theme of offerings is all about Jesus being the only Way. 

The core message of Leviticus is to make us holy to enter His Presence.

May we long for holiness more than longing to improve, change, reverse circumstances. Make us a holy people. 

We are no longer under the Law.

PHOTO:  MiMi walking Zeke to 2nd grade. I absolutely loved walking you to school. One of my favorite things. Then Bristol and I would take the twins for an hour walk to the playground.  

41 - "No Higher Calling Than Servant" Leviticus 24-25

Dear Servants, That's what God calls you.  I remember taking you on a ferry across the waters in Galveston.  You'd hold the bread up for the seagulls to sweep you off your feet with a catch from your hand.  I'll find that pic someday.  You were 3 and 4, and 6.  You were adorable to me more than I can say.  But to Him.  You are everything.  You are His servant.  "They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Lev. 25:55

PHOTO: In the Hill Country for Christmas 2023. 

40 - "A Call to Holiness Individually and Collectively" Leviticus 22-23

 #54 In the midst of the OT offerings, there is a “call to holiness,” that is lifted central in the lives of every Israelite and their community. Same for us: a call to holiness individually and collectively in America. #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself

         

There is a principle in Leviticus 22:32 that is lifted high in the central life of the Israelites in the midst of the offerings. We are called to holiness. Individually. Collectively. A call to rest. A call to worship. How blessed are the people who worship you! O LORD, Psalm 89:15. They experience your favor. The festivals. Holy times. Feasts.  To honor the name of our God.  Not appointed by man but sanctified to be a holy day by God.  Observed not just by the priests but by all of the people.  The people withdrew from the affairs and the business of the world.  They knew what it meant to have a holy day.  We know not.  "The sabbath of the Lord in our homes will be our beauty, strength, and safety; it will sanctify, edify, and glorify each of us. May we rest from sin and follow you."  Henry.  

We put God on trial every time we evaluate if He is good---what He has done that works for us or against us.  God is not on trial; we are.  God is the Judge.  "Humble your soul." Lev 23:27.  Offer the first-fruits of your life.  Turn to God first thing when you have a problem.  Come to Him first thing when you awake.  Pray to Him first thing when you sit down to eat.    C.S. Lewis wrote:  "You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first."  Are we living by the first things?  Look at the Sabbath of these people.  They treat it as holy, do we?  Look at our day, do we profane the moments by not living in them.  Being present before a God Who Sees, and before what is really happening while my soul stirs.  Humble your soul.

PHOTO: It's the spot where I learned some really hard news. Our rest is in God alone. 

39 - "Counterfeit Holiness" Leviticus 19-21

 

 "Do not desecrate my sanctuary. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’”  Think about the priests in Jesus' day.  "All the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate the governor” (Matt. 27:1-2).  They took counsel.  The error of the chief priests and Pharisees has been perpetuated and refined from Leviticus to this century. This error has to do with a false perception of holiness.  What does holiness really look like?  The chief priests?  Counterfeit holiness. What about today.  Are we a holy people?  God is most concerned about making us holy. Is that my major concern in any given matter?  Are we dealing with the Truth?

When did it become OKAY to work harder to be holy?

Be holy. Leviticus 19:1
How do we do that?
Am I asking the right question?
Do I fear the One Who will ask the right questions?
God is the One Who makes us holy.
Leviticus 21:8
Where did we LEARN that we could work harder to become holier?  

Why do we think we can deny what is really happening within our souls?  

When did it become all right to distance ourselves to live for this world?  

What in life can make us holy apart from You?  

Make us a holy people, unto Yourself!

PHOTO: Browning's sanctuary. You shall know the truth and it will make you free. And God will make you holy.

38 "I Am Undone" Leviticus 16-18

                         

The priests couldn't heal. All these regulations. How could they even remember. 

"And it was done."
As commanded by the Lord.
Leviticus 16:34.
All the preparations, done out of love for God.
All the regulations, done out of honor for God.
And what about my life?
Is it done?
Or am I undone?

Oh kids, I do not want to stay where I am.  I want this day to pass and I will be a little different in righteousness than I was yesterday.  May I live undone to myself and done to the work of the Lord.  

And done to serving God.  For God's Glory!

But, Matthew Henry says: If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, 

it intimates that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly, 

we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brothers. 

And I just love that thought.  The leprosy of sin---I've been made to feel that way.  Like a leper.  May I never count them as my enemy but treat them as a friend---and a friend gives admonishments, too.  

PHOTO:  Undone. Signed: your Grandmother Meme

37 - "The Invincible, Immutable, Incomprehensible God" Leviticus 14-15

                                                        

Old Testament laws. Rules! You all didn't like all the silly rules we had in our family back in the day. Like you have to wear a collared shirt to church. And at school, you couldn't dance. Sounds so weird today.

We are no longer under the law.  They were looking forward and we no longer look backwards.  We are partakers of the Divine Nature.  Francis Chan said:  "We have obtained equal standing with everyone---like Peter."  Given all things that pertain to life and godliness. II Peter 1:3.  For that very reason.  Give it all up.  Make every effort.  Knowledge.  Self Control.  Steadfast.  Godliness.  Love.  "Don't be so nearsighted that you are blind."  We have Him here.  When Chan spoke tonight about looking at things Unseen.  What are we really looking at every day?  The warp or the woof?  Or the Invincible, Immutable, Incomprehensible God?

Father, it is incomprehensible that we can partake of your Divine Nature.  The Israelites looked forward and thought they'd give anything to be at that place.  You are Here.  Invade my day, this moment, with your Holy Presence.

God spoke to Moses & Aaron. He talked to them! 

And He did to me today in the midst.

When you enter the land

I am giving you to possess, put this in your house . . .

Leviticus 14:34

First Thought:  get rid of it!  God is the one engineering ordaining all things. 

"Instead of Giving Thanks, one is tempted toward and nurtured in 

accomplishments, achievements, and possessions. 

It is a world in which no wonders are enacted, no transformations noticed." 

John Wesley

If God has ordained for you to possess the good, the bad, the ugly ,,,, 

God will enable you to persevere in your possessions.

The priests couldn't heal. All these regulations. How could they remember. But, Henry says: If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, it intimates that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly, we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren. And I just love that thought.  The leprosy of sin---I've been made to feel that way.  Like a leper.  May I never count them as my enemy but treat them as a friend---and a friend gives admonishments, too.  

So, 2 Corinthians 4:18.  Fix our eyes on what is Unseen, not on this earth.

PHOTO:  My prayer for these two. Look today for The Unseen. He is with you.

36 - "Name Your Sin" Leviticus 11-13

                                               

"You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean." Leviticus 11:47.  Name the sin that separates us from God.  

"The toughest part of My plan, the part that is costliest to God, is to make me holy." 66 LL. All these regulations!  

They couldn't enter the Presence of God "as is."  

This theme of offerings is all about how Jesus is the only Way.  The core message of Leviticus is to make us  holy.  May we distinguish between all the things we deal with.  May we long for holiness as much as our next breath.  May I desire to be holy in my current situation more than I want to figure out what to do to improve it, change it, eradicate it.  

Help us, O God, to distinguish between good and evil.  Make us a holy people. 

PHOTO: Church of the Martyrs. A holy moment standing here knowing the stories of holy people. 

35 - "Hold Your Peace" Leviticus 9-10

#35 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord. Aaron remained silent. Aaron held his peace. Lost boy of his boys in that fire. 

                                                               

 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. Lev 9:24. Fire. That visible token of God being present for them. And their visible humble response of falling face down. May we all fall face forward. ‘

This is the same Aaron who held his words in front of the idolatrous Israelites.  
This time, Aaron holds his words for his God.  Submission.  Trust.  Love.

“‘Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.’” Leviticus 10:3

And. Aaron remained silent. 
And. Aaron held his peace.
Both of his boys.  Lost.

I surely don't ever want to see someone I love lost forever.  May I be more concerned for my own relationship before You; submission to Your Holy Will.  More than what I think should happen.  More than demands that things turn out right.  You long for redemption for all.  May we continue to give grace and peace and prayers and love to all we meet this day, all days.  "For the sake of our prayers," change us all.

PHOTO: The desert.  Places where they decided to sin in their hearts and build sand castles to other gods.  Even castles crumble.