A lot of people don't like mornings, unless it's a Saturday morning where they can sleep in until lunch when morning is technically over. Personally, I love mornings. It's my quiet time, my workout time, and my breakfast time (3 things I enjoy!). But many mornings by the time I head to work my mood has changed. I've gone from the peaceful accomplished feeling of quiet devotion with God and a good workout to rushing, hurrying, trying to get out the door without forgetting something and be on time (I prefer early). I can often tell when I get in my car that morning what kind of day I'm going to have. But essentially, my morning and my preparation to begin the day, that hour or so from 7-8 sets the tone for the rest of the day.
My study over the past couple weeks has been on a similar topic that doesn't always get the glory because we often times don't see what all goes into it, preparation. In Leviticus 9:1-14, the priest had to make sacrifices for his own personal sins before he could offer sacrifices for the people. We see later on (Lev. 9:22-24) that the results of following God's methods and instructions results in blessing and acceptance. And then (Lev. 10:1-3) that the results of not following God's methods can be severe and harsh, yet also just. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, brought an offering before the Lord. However, they had not followed God's instruction in doing so and the Lord consumed them in fire. Now this week reading about the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 we continue to see the importance of following God in preparation. We see specific instructions of how to prepare the animals, how to cleanse oneself, and what to wear (Lev. 16:4-5).
There are several truths that we can take from these texts:
1. There is no sacrifice or offering that can atone for our sins. The only way to prepare for eternity is by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 reads, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
2. God is holy we must prepare ourselves before coming into His presence. In God's consumption of Nadab and Abihu, He reminded everyone that He is holy and that we should come before him in humble reverence on His terms, not ours.
The one thing about my getting ready for work is that our dress code is the perfect balance of freedom while outlining what we can wear. I know it's pants, shirt, and tie every day. I have that outline to know I have certain options in my closet but also the freedom to mix and match colors based on my personal preference for the day. When I show up at work, my co-workers can't always tell by my appearance what kind of morning I've had. But if something has gone wrong, they can tell it my tone of voice and attitude.
As you get ready for church this morning, be mindful of this: "Believers are too diligently prepare themselves to enter into God's presence. This shows us that God is not only concerned with the proper preparation of the offering but also with the one making the offering. The external act is not the only thing that matters; it only reveals the participant's heart."
How you hair looks and what you wear to church today doesn't matter nearly as much as having your heart and mind ready to hear from God and offer praise and worship to Him. Let's past the clothes and focus on souls today.
My study over the past couple weeks has been on a similar topic that doesn't always get the glory because we often times don't see what all goes into it, preparation. In Leviticus 9:1-14, the priest had to make sacrifices for his own personal sins before he could offer sacrifices for the people. We see later on (Lev. 9:22-24) that the results of following God's methods and instructions results in blessing and acceptance. And then (Lev. 10:1-3) that the results of not following God's methods can be severe and harsh, yet also just. Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's sons, brought an offering before the Lord. However, they had not followed God's instruction in doing so and the Lord consumed them in fire. Now this week reading about the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 we continue to see the importance of following God in preparation. We see specific instructions of how to prepare the animals, how to cleanse oneself, and what to wear (Lev. 16:4-5).
There are several truths that we can take from these texts:
1. There is no sacrifice or offering that can atone for our sins. The only way to prepare for eternity is by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 reads, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
2. God is holy we must prepare ourselves before coming into His presence. In God's consumption of Nadab and Abihu, He reminded everyone that He is holy and that we should come before him in humble reverence on His terms, not ours.
The one thing about my getting ready for work is that our dress code is the perfect balance of freedom while outlining what we can wear. I know it's pants, shirt, and tie every day. I have that outline to know I have certain options in my closet but also the freedom to mix and match colors based on my personal preference for the day. When I show up at work, my co-workers can't always tell by my appearance what kind of morning I've had. But if something has gone wrong, they can tell it my tone of voice and attitude.
As you get ready for church this morning, be mindful of this: "Believers are too diligently prepare themselves to enter into God's presence. This shows us that God is not only concerned with the proper preparation of the offering but also with the one making the offering. The external act is not the only thing that matters; it only reveals the participant's heart."
How you hair looks and what you wear to church today doesn't matter nearly as much as having your heart and mind ready to hear from God and offer praise and worship to Him. Let's past the clothes and focus on souls today.
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