Today’s passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=numbers%2028-30&version=NIV
In today’s passage, the laws regarding the daily, weekly & monthly sacrifices, as well as the yearly sacrifices at the feasts are being repeated. God reminded the Israelites to seek Him for atonement, for thanksgiving & praise and for fellowship. God wants to be at the center of His people’s lives at all times.
This passage reminds us to seek the Lord in all that we do. Whether we’re traveling through a wilderness period of life without a job or fighting on the battlefield of loneliness and loss or celebrating a season of abundant blessing – He wants to be the center of it! Instead of running to our favorite girlfriend for advice or comfort we should be running to our Wonderful, Counselor. Instead of praising the doctor for the cure we should be thanking our Lord, the Great Physician. Instead being prideful in our accomplishments and success, we should be giving God all the glory! Instead of running head first into battle with a plan we devised for ourselves, we should be seeking a plan from our Shield, our Strength, our Rock, El Shaddai, God Almighty! How many times have we jumped out of bed and run to the shower without even saying thank you Lord for another day, Lord how can I serve you today? How many times have we crashed head first into bed exhausted, just glad we made it through another day without even praising Him for walking us through it? I love how Psalm 63 gives a perfect look at how to seek God:
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Take some time to look at your life and consider whether you are putting Him at the center of it - Thirsting for him, longing for him, remembering him as you go to bed, praising him, lifting up our hands to him, singing of him in the shadows of his wings, clinging to him. Praising and worshipping Him…
Here are some ways to move toward a more God centered life:
* Make scripture cards to leave in your purse, car or tape to your mirror or computer screen
* Sing along with praise & worship songs in the car or while cleaning house
* Enjoy working out? Let your mind focus on Him in prayer & praise as you circle Memorial Park * or lift weights.
* Hit the snooze button and spend a few more minutes in bed asking God to lead your day
* Read the Bible ever day!
* Join a mid week Bible study
* Carve out some quiet time with the Lord for prayer and Bible study
* Fellowship with other Christians
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 puts it perfectly - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe
Excellent word. I like how you said, "Instead of running head first into battle with a plan we devised for ourselves, we should be seeking a plan from our Shield, our Strength, our Rock, El Shaddai, God Almighty!
ReplyDeleteLOL, like done that many times. "I" devise my plan, "I" work hard to organize it, "I" go out to work for God.. oh forgot, "I" say a quick prayer to ask God's blessings and direction on what I’m already determined to do :) In God's mercy, He’s still gloried but over the years I've found it so much easier to find out what God wants to do then join with Him in the work. This is so much restful and peaceful
I love the Psalm you picked also. Here is a proverb which matches it:
Prov 27:7
A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
When I get spiritually self content, no matter how good the sermon is by Dr. Young or Pastor Riggle, my attitude will be “I’ve heard this before or I sure wish brother or sister so and so was here to hear this message” Like my stinking attitude is full of self contentment. But to the hungry, it doesn’t matter how many times I’ve heard a spiritual truth, or how many times I’ve heard the sermon the hungry heart will “eat” it up.
So how do we stay in the hungry state? I repent and ask God to renew my first love! Pretty simple but I have to do my part.