WHAT IS YOUR CHRISTIAN SHEMA?

Good day dear friends.
I thank God for your understanding yesterday during my absence due to illness. I have a 9 a.m. appointment with my doctor and I hope he can make me feel better. I had a terrible night but God was and is with me. My thanks to Pastor Leslie and Kit for filling in at the last minute to preach at all three services.
Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Deuteronomy 6,7,8What can you think of in the New Testament that might be as crucial to the Christian as Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema) is to the Jew?
The Shema in my opinion is as valid for the Christian as it is to the Jew. It states their faith in one verse and it affirms who they are in relation to God. Years ago we went to visit my brother in South Florida and he took us to several stores most of them run by Jewish merchants, and I noticed that in each piece of artwork or merchandise there was a small piece of paper with Hebrew writing on it. I asked one of the store owners what it was and he very proudly said, "The Shema!" I asked if I could see one and he gave it to me.
Which New Testament verse states your faith? The obvious one is John 3:16 for many. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish but have everlasting life." Others might say, Romans 8:1-2 "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death." What about Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Whichever one rings true for you, you should know it and embrace it and use it. How often have you shared that with someone? What makes your faith stand out so that others can find in you a ready faithful friend?
PRAYER: Loving God, make me a person of Your word. Let my faith shine in all things, so that others may know how much You have done for me and can do for them. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

IDOL WORSHIP

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today:Thursday: Numbers 32, 33, 34The command in Numbers 33:50-56 to “drive out all the inhabitants of the land” seems a bit severe. What justification do you see for such an order?
Life is sacred. To God. And it should be to us. Reading the passage in Numbers 33:5-56 does seem very severe to "drive out all the inhabitants of the land." Israel was in a war mode. Not to justify or glorify war, but the "neighbors" Israel was encountering were not about to just give them the land and move away quietly. If you put it in modern perspectives, we just don't have over our land to someone who says God gave it to them. Our own US history shows many events where "we" did the same thing. The people of Israel knew they were to be in a war for land and for their faith. Israel was the only monotheistic (belief in one God) people. For their many years of slavery they were surrounded by those who believed in many gods including the belief that Pharoah was god. In fact the ten plagues set the stage for the real contest, not between Moses and Pharoah, but between Pharoah and God. As they traveled through the wilderness their monotheism was strengthened and now they're at the point of entering a land where they had a god for most everything, each god represented by idols, and even the use of sex in their worship. God is asking the question, how faithful will you stay if you don't drive out the inhabitants? Biblical study shows this was a harsh but necessary step to drive out the potentially negative influences of idol worship. As we get further into the Old Testament you will see how even the kings of Israel were not immune from this temptation.
In our situation we still come up against placing things or people before God. Wanting to sleep in on Sunday quickly becomes our "god." Worse yet choosing that because our neighbors do, shows who's more influential. Choosing to wash our car instead of worship shows where our true worship lies. After all, our neighbors do it. And the list can go on and on about where our true worship and loyalties lie. God asks the question, where am I in your life?
PRAYER: Loving God, I invite you to occupy first place in my life. I ask forgiveness for the times when I've thought my neighbor had a better idea when it came to life choices and I've chosen to be apart from You. Let me choose You today and all days. I pray in the name of He who placed You first, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

LEARNING TO GIVE

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today: Wednesday: Numbers 28, 29, 30, 31 Why, do you suppose, are all these special occasions marked also by special offerings?
We are a culture that cannot celebrate anything without giving. If we get invited to a birthday party, we take a birthday gift. It's awkward for some to get an invitation that says instead of gifts, do something else. It still gives us the opportunity to give. Anniversary? Gift! Graduation? Gift! If someone dies, we give food.
There is a blessing in giving. That's a spiritual law. God teaches us that in the chapters for today. To mark God's involvement in our history, we should celebrate with an act of remembrance and with the giving of a special offering. Why do you suppose some cringe or get angry at having to give to God? Giving to God is a spiritual discipline. It is something we should be teaching our children. Most children do not automatically learn to share. And to share with God is the most important thing we can teach them.
Are you holding back from giving to God? Do you think your reason is ever really justified? Learn to give from the heart in a loving way in the way that God loves and provides for you. Teach your children the joy of giving, and be blessed in watching them be blessed.
PRAYER: God of all good things, we thank You for all You do. Help me to become more of a loving and cheerful giver for all things. Teach me to be a teacher to others, especially my children. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

ARE WE THERE YET?

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today: Tuesday: Numbers 25, 26, 27What factors, both natural and spiritual, did Joshua have going for him as he prepared to succeed Moses?
Joshua was a man of faith. Joshua was a man of hope. Joshua was a man of vision. Joshua was a man of fearlessness. Joshua was full of the Holy Spirit. These are the characteristics of the young man who followed Moses as the leader of the people of Israel. The reading brings us to the end of Moses' earthly life and God allows him to climb upon a mountain overlooking the promised land and once Moses is up there God tells him that he is to die. Moses' only concern is for the people of Israel, that they have a shepherd to lead them. God tells Moses that shepherd is to be Joshua.
Careful reading of today's chapters will reveal that of all the people who were counted in the first census in the wilderness only Joshua and Caleb were left among those during the census prior to entering the promised land. All of the original wanderers died. Do you believe that was fair? Sadly, yes. These were the hymn writers of that constant hymn, Grumble and Complain. They never caught the vision for what God was doing for them. They never appreciated the signs and wonders God did for them along the way. They were like children today, who constantly ask, "Are we there yet?" In years past we would take our girls to Disney World in Florida and the only way we could afford it was to drive there. Thankfully, sights along the way became a part of the journey, as enjoyable as the destination. But the people of God never appreciated what God had done or would do for them
How about you? Are you enjoying the journey? Have you been blessed thus far? Have you seen God providing for you in numerous ways along the journey or are you grumbling and complaining until the "big day" whatever that may be in your opinion for you?
PRAYER: God of the journey, thank you. Thank you for all You have done on my behalf. I thank you for delivering me from the chains of sin and death and for putting me on the way that leads to life. Let me glorify Your name today in all that I say, think, and do. I pray in the name of my Lord, Jesus the Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

TWENTY-ONE ALTARS

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today:Monday: Numbers 22, 23, 24Balaam is an interesting case of a biblical character. We see him as a betrayer of God’s plan and leads Israel astray. What signs of such ultimate sin do you see in this man?
I've always known about Balaam thanks to his talking donkey. My mother first told me this story and having been raised on Disney found it incredible that the Bible first used talking animals. I wish I could remember the way she told me the story the thing that caught my attention was that a donkey could talk. I knew the Disney animals were cartoons and not real, but to hear a story from the Bible where the donkey spoke made me realize there could be some truth to this; what's it about? The poor donkey in this story speaks because of Balaam's anger. Balaam is a very angry man. To his credit he believes in God but he practices sorcery along with trying to be a prophet of sorts. And he confesses that he mixed in some sorcery with the sacrifices he lifted up.
A total of twenty-one altars were built in hopes of trying to get a better response from God. Those seeking curses on Israel believed it depended on the angle. These are the original church-hoppers. They hear one thing they don't like in church and off they go to another one! They secretly hope God will speak to them in ways they want rather than what God wants.
Balaam also couldn't hear what God said and leave it at that. It seems it would have been easier for him to have heard once the order from God to not curse Israel and return home, but at three different times and different sites he sets up his altars to see what God may share with him.
Do you think that if you sat on the opposite side of the church God's word would be different for you? Do you honestly believe that if you leave one church because you're angry or hurt that would make a difference in what God expects from you? Shouldn't the real change occur first in us rather than expecting God to change?
PRAYER: Everlasting God speak to my heart today about what I am to do and who I am to be. Forgive my anger and resentment towards others and let me seek to please You. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blesse day in the Lord!
e.v.

HIDDEN IN CHRIST

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today:
Sunday: Numbers 21What connections do you see between the facts that snakes were the source of the plague and that a bronze snake was used as the means of healing?
The grumbling against God never ended. If it wasn't one thing one day, it was another the next. Time after time they had seen the way those who had grumbled had been dealt with, yet they persisted in their complaining. The text says that God sent poisonous snakes to bite those that were complaining and many died. It reached the point where those who were complaining made the connection and come to repentance asking for God to forgive them of their complaining. Moses again prays to the Lord asking for their forgiveness and for direction on how to handle these people and God answers that Moses should make a metal snake and put it on a flagpole. Those bitten by snakes were to look at it and live.
What is the connection between being bitten by a deadly snake and looking to the flagpole to live? One immediate thing is that people have to look up. Long associated as the direction in which we can find God, up most times is the only way we can look or should go. To see the snake up on that pole is also a reminder of their sin against God and Moses. And to look up with faith and repentance is the way to secure forgivness and healing. Jesus Himself said, in John 3:14, just two verses shy of the famous "For God so loved the world" verse, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." To see the Son of Man (God) on that tree dying for you and me, we should be reminded of our sin and our need for healing. It can only come from God.
If God had to specifically nail something to a pole to remind you of your sin what would be up there? Thank God that is not necessary. You and I certainly don't want loved ones to come and gawk at that which has kept us in bondage to sin all these years! Jesus took it all away (or He will if you ask!).
PRAYER: I thank You loving Father for taking away my sin. I thank You because You did it without exposing me. Let me hide in You today my imperfections and blemishes confident that You have taken them all away and I am Your child. I pray in the blessed name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE YOUR ANGER?

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today: Saturday: Numbers 19, 20What was so bad about Moses’ actioni that it shut him out of the Promised Land?
One must read carefully the two chapters for today to find the answer, though I'm going to share the answer with you. In all the readings we have done thus far we can surmise that God meant business. The entire forty years were meant to form a people, a spiritual people, a strong people. God was concerned about every aspect of their lives, the physical, emotional, spiritual, social, etc. And through all this God wanted a loving relationship with each and every person in that band of travelers. God wanted respect and obedience. And we come to Moses' breaking point.
The people reached a point in their journey where they had no water. They should have known God would provide, but the first pangs of thirst hit and their anger flared. It only takes one person to gripe about conditions anywhere and there will be a second, third, and fourth, and sadly even more to join suit. They griped to Moses and Aaron and these two threw themselves on the ground before the Tent. As they prayed God answered them as to what they needed to do, which was to speak to a certain rock and water would spew forth. Moses takes his staff and instead of speaking to the rock uses his staff to beat the rock not once but twice. Moses took out his anger with the people on God. We know God can take it, but God was upset that this act of anger showed no respect towards God. And as a result, both Moses and Aaron were told they would not enter the promised land.
How do you handle your anger at work, home, school, or play? Do you ever find yourself taking it out on God? In my Faith and Film class on Thursdays we're watching Robert Duvall as "The Apostle." There is a scene early in the movie where he has lost his wife and his church (she has taken it away from him even though she and the youth minister are having an affair!), and so that night he shouts at God for most of the night. "I am mad at you!" Duvall shouts. The next door neighbor calls to complain and Duvall's mother, played by June Carter Cash, tells the irate neighbor that is his way of praying.
PRAYER: Loving God, let me handle my anger in prayer and love. Help me to understand, to be patient and loving in all my dealings. When it is necessary to be angry, show me retraint and wisdom. Let me strive to glorify You even in my anger. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

THE GIFT OF PRAYER

Good day dear friends.
Yahoogroups that sends out (supposedly) isn't too good about promptness. Usually, I will write this out, copy and paste it to my blog, then the mychurch.org site, return back here and the message is waiting for approval. Given the length of yesterday's message it was not here and with the hectic schedule of the day did not remember to see if it had been sent out. I usually get an email from this server to approve, and I did not. So, for you diehard ConCafe readers, your patience has been rewarded, you get three messages in one day. LOTS of reading to do!
Here is our study guide for today: Friday: Numbers 16, 17, 18 As you read these chapters, list and analyze the qualities of character you see in Moses.
Moses was a true leader. And leadership is never easy nor is it a way to instant gratification. A leader puts him or herself in the line of fire for anything that goes wrong or for results that do not come as soon as others may want. A leader is patient and prayerful. If God is leading the leader, and only leaders that let God lead them are true leader, the results will come, on God's time not ours. In these readings we see the patience and lack of, in Moses. As he led this huge congregation of people on a seeminly endless journey the complaints were sure to come, and they did. We find these young men who come and challenge Moses' leadership, saying to his face, "Who put you in charge?" Uh, in case you weren't watching, hmm, who could it be, who could it be? Could it be God?! These young men wanted to reach the promised land yesterday. Their memories of their days in slavery were now those of "the land of milk and honey." Funny how our minds work sometimes. Their days of toiling in the hot sun making bricks and building buildings they would never use or inhabit, were not even a distant memory. They remembered a land of milk and honey.
Moses was a man of prayer. He took everything to God. In that first confrontation in Num 16, his throwing himself down on the ground was prayer. God gave him the answer of this challenge and how best to deal with it. And in the subsequent challenges, it was God giving Moses directions for how to best handle them. Please note that every challenge though directed against Moses was really against God. Sadly, most times it is God's person who takes the heat and the hits.
Moses was a man. We cannot forget that Moses was human, not in any way perfect nor did he claim to be. He got angry. He lost his patience. He got his feelings hurt. He doubted what he was really doing. He wanted to give up at times. But as said above, his being a man of prayer made all the difference in the world.
What are you facing today? Who has come against you and what have you done about it? Have you turned it over to God or are you trying to come up with the best scheme for revenge or showing your anger? You're best served when you serve God.
PRAYER: Loving God, I thank you for the gift of prayer. I turn over to you all the challenges that are coming my way today. I know that You are with me and that You will guide me. Let all things work for Your good. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

POTENTIAL, POSSIBILITY AND POWER!

Good day dear friends.
I was out ill yesterday and did not feel up to sending a ConCafe. I will send out yesterday's study guide with no comment (I'll let you do the work) and today's:
Wednesday: Numbers 11, 12 List, from these two chapters, the instances of Moses’ troubles or complaints and God’s way of responding. What do you observe about people and about God? Thursday: Numbers 13, 14, 15The twelve spies were all working with the same data. How do you explain the different responses of the majority and the minority?
This is a foreshadowing of the David and Goliath story. The lesser challenger against the greater foe, or so it seems. Like David, the ones who saw the same things as the majority, saw it with eyes of faith. The word impossible never entered into their thinking nor should it ours when we know we have God on our side.
The people of God had the promise of the Lord to enter into this land. They had seen the hand of God providing all sorts of unexplainable things, things of sheer power, yet when they see the people of the land, they believe they are up against giants and that they themselves are grasshoppers. Isn't that funny? To see with the eyes of faith we see potential, possibility, and power. To see with human eyes, we see punyness, possible loss, and powerlessness. Which would you rather have?
In yesterday's readings you read where not all the people share the same faith in God. And not everyone sees or looks for the positive. They see only what they want to see and usually that scares them. And this carried over into this spy trip. Those who see God working among them and can believe God's stength among them will always see the positive and the possible.
How are you seeing today?
PRAYER: Loving God of power and might, let me see You in all that I face today. Give me eyes to see potential, possibility, and power. Thine is the glory in my life. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

WILDERNESS JOURNEY

Good day dear friends.
Please continue to pray for the parents, family members, friends of those students gunned down yesterday in Virginia. Also pray for healing of those wounded and recovering. Pray that God would touch the hearts of those even contemplating such violence and convict them of the evil they can cause for doing such things.
Here is our study guide for today: Tuesday: Numbers 9. 10Reflect on how, in your own life, God uses both the cloud and the fire and the human (Hobab) to guide you.
In other words, when have been the times God has guided you at night? During the day? Or used a friend or family member to help you make the right decisions and go to the right places?
The stories in today's reading reflect God's involvement in our lives is we so let Him. God loves us and wants us to go to the right places and do the right things. If you can imagine walking in a desert with no regular signposts or indicators to help guide you, you need a map or someone like a map. In Israel's case, it was God would led them out of Egypt and into the wilderness on the formation journey towards the Promised Land. I can remember the days when friends would share their tales of having to cross the Mojave Desert. "Take plenty of water and travel only during the night, so that your car doesn't overheat!" It wasn't until 1981 that Nellie and our two girls took off across that desert with those fears. We laugh now about how well-prepared we really are now for such a journey.
How about you? Are you crossing a desert in your life? Do you find you can't walk much because of the "heat" whatever that may be for you right now? Are you afraid of "wild animals" in this journey? Are you afraid of being too "thirsty?"
Hear the good news: God walks with you and will lead you by day and by night and yes, by even your friends. You need not fear.
PRAYER: Loving God, at times it does seem like I'm traveling down a scary road in the middle of a wilderness. But help me know all the time that You are with me and I need not be afraid. I thank You for the ways You guide me and for those You send into my life to do the same. I praise You and love You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

CONNECTING WITH GOD

Good day dear friends.
Please remember the Tess Norris family in your prayers this morning as at 10 o'clock we have her funeral at our church.
I visited with Skip Smith and he is recovering from his motorcycle accident. It turns out it was an off-road dirt bike practice run on a track outside of Floresville, where Skip overshot one of the jumps and his left leg got tangled in his handlebars. Skip expects to be moved out of ICU into a private room today. Please continue to pray for his healing.
Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Numbers 7, 8What significance do you find in the fact that the people placed their hands on the heads of the Levites? (Num 8:10) in the consecration process?
The reading of Numbers 7 reads like a long version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, with the gifts being brought to God. It is a chapter of holy giving unto the Lord. The work of the Lord requires our participation and ownership, which is why Numbers 8 speaks of the Levites and their special role in the worship life of the community. God set them apart much the same way He had with the firstborns while they were still in Egypt about to depart. The Levites now had the leadership of worship as their purpose. They were set apart for leading worship and doing that work. To have the people come and lay their hands upon them was to show that everyone had a part and responsibility for the worship of the Lord. This was their connection and ownership with the worship of God. In other words, God did want them to feel completely left out. Yes, there were only certain things the common person could do in the whole scheme of holy places, etc., but in the person called apart to lead, they touched them as their connection with God. Remember that it was in the humanness of Christ that we connected with God once and for all.
How have you connected with God today? What do you intend to do about connecting with your Heavenly Father?
PRAYER: Loving God of relationship and love, help me connect with you today in some way. Let me know that I belong to You and that I should find a way to be blessed by and be a blessing for You. I seek Christ, through Whom I know I am Yours, and in his name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

OBSTACLES TO HOLY LIVING

Good day dear friends.Here is our study guide for today: Sunday: Numbers 4, 5, 6How and where are nazarite principles preserved in the church today?PRAYER THEME FOR THE WEEK: Here are some days of celebration in mylife for which I would like to give thanks:Here are some people who, to my knowledge, don't have too manyreasons to celebrate. I will pray daily for them:The most famous of nazarite characters was Samson. Given to God ascuh by his mother, Samson led, for the most part, a life of anazarite. We know his weaknesses, but his strength was the keepingof the vow to not touch his hair. Some believe John the Baptist wasalso a nazarite in the way he lived his life.Do we have any nazarite principles preserved in the church today? Ifyou're not familiar with the Social Principles of The UnitedMethodist Church, these are found in the first part of The Book ofDiscipline 2004, and they state our agreed upon statements of beliefconcerning social issues. Some of you might be surprised to findthat on paper, we as United Methodists believe in and should practiceabstinence in matters of alcohol and tobacco. There is nothing inthere about one's hair. I would say wash it at least once a day, butthat's not a social principle! The length of your hair if your ownmatter. As for touching the dead no problem there for most people.I won't even mention the univesity's upcoming forensic lab wherecorpses and their decay will be studied, at what the media andcritics are calling a "body farm." But beyond just seeing this asdo's and don'ts, it's a matter of consecration to God, to have ourdesire to love and serve God be as pure as we can make it. In thematter of alcohol, we know its power to destroy lives, families,property, etc. And you will say, "I know my limits" or "I only drinkmoderately," but to live a life that wants to avoid temptation is onethat tries not to open the door to anything that might cause harm ordamage to us or our loved ones or others. There is a reason God madethat the first requirement among nazarites. But it is not onlyalcohol, it's also other things, such as speaking about others thingsthat are not true, saying things to others that hurt and damage. Weknow the list goes on and on; things that are keeping us from beingholy.How pure and holy are you striving to be? This weekend a large groupof pilgrims at an Emmaus Walk heard a talk on piety and what thatmeans. (For more information on that and other talks, go on aWalk!). Basically, are you seeking to live a godly life?PRAYER: Lord, You know better than me, what obstacles exist in mylife that are keeping me from being a holy person. Help me recognizeand accept who and what they are so that I can, with Your help, dealwith them. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!e.v.

A LIVING SERMON

Good day dear friends. We had quite a storm pass through SM last night, and for a while we lost our TV and internet. I trust this finds all of you doing well.
Plans for Tess Norris' funeral call for a Monday morning funeral at the church at 10 a.m. There will be a visitation on Sunday afternoon at Pennington's Funeral Home.
Thank you for your prayers for my dad, who was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Exams run have not shown an heart or liver related causes for his chest pains. My dad will see his regular doctor in two weeks and his cardiologist in three.
Here is our study guide for today:Saturday: Numbers 1, 2, 3List some of the duties of the Levites related to their care of the Tabernacle.
The Levites were the priests of the people of God therefore held a special function and place in God's eyes. They were to be the only ones completely responsible for the tent and all the furnishings of worship in the tent. We can only begin to imagine the magnitude of that responsibility given the symbolism and power behind each item of worship. Our God did not desire a graven image to represent Him, but that was made up by the furnishings that represent God's presence and power in the Tent of the Dwelling.
Do we have anything that comes close to the furnishings from that era in our churches? For some people we do, but generally, no. There is a sacredness in our places of worship, but it does not replace the fact they were created for our use in our worship and not that we were made to worship representations of God. Every part of our worship space should reflect God's love for us and our love for God. We are a part of the priesthood of all believers. Our lives, thoughts, and actions should reflect a worshipful heart.
Let your life be the only sermon someone will "hear" today.
PRAYER: God of love, use me today to preach your word, and if necessary, give me words. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

WHAT A PROPHET DOES

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide: Friday: Leviticus 25, 26, 27Some hold that Old Testament historians wrote like prophets and the prophets wrote like historians. Find an example of that in today's reading where the author of Leviticus sounds like a prophet.
A prophet is a spokesperson for God. Literally, the word means "mouth piece," so any one would speaks for God is speaking what God has directed him or her to share. Prophets are not necessarily people who can see into the future and predict things, mostly they are those who can speak God's relevant word to a particular situation. Some prophets do foretell coming events because God has shared that particular vision. In either case, usually it is a word that speaks God's concern for the way the people are behaving, and a word that urges them to reform or repent. A historian records events with his or her interpretation about the situation. If they survive their time, these words become the written history of those events experienced.
As you read today's passage, see where you hear a historian speaking and see where you hear a prophet speaking. But in both, be open to where God is speaking, especially to you!
PRAYER: Loving God, may this day be a historic day in which You write on the pages of my heart Your love. Let me be a part of writing Your love on someone else's heart today as well. In Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

WHAT HAS GOD DONE IN YOUR HISTORY?

Good day dear friends.
We continue our study of God bringing us new life. Here is our study guide: Thursday: Leviticus 22, 23, 24What six holy celebrations, besides the Sabbath, are found in Lev. 23? What do they hold in common?
I will let you find and list the six holy celebrations in today's readings. Be sure to read them all. In the last chapter for today you'll find the law of retaliation.
All that the celebrations hold in common is a thankfulness towards God. In every celebration, God is central and God is to be praised. As the people of God journeyed towards the promised land, the purpose was to instruct the people in the ways of God. Central to that instruction was the place God should hold in every heart and head. It is a reminder, "God did this for me. I will do this for God." Of course, that's oversimplifying it, but it's the core of what the feasts and banquets held for God.
What has God done in your history? What have you done for God in return? Does God hold a central place in your heart and head? Are you reminded of what good God can do in your life? Are you reminding yourself of what good you can do for God and God's people?
PRAYER: Loving God, I celebrate Your involvement and interest in my life. Let me not forget all that You can do for me, especially in times of need. Let me not forget what I can do for You especially when I see someone in need. I pray in the Name of He who looked out for all, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW

Good day dear friends.
Please lift up Mrs. Tess Norris in your prayers. She has not been doing well these last couple of days in her nursing home situation.
Here is our study guide for today: Wednesday: Leviticus 19, 20, 21List five or six of the highly practical laws found in Lev. 19.
These are very practical laws of relationship. Notice the relationship God stresses He wants with us and the relationship He wants us to have with others.
Be holy is very practical. Respect your parents. Keep the Sabbath. Practice giving as you were instructed. Share your harvest with others, especially the poor and the foreigner. Don't take what is not yours. Always tell the truth. Be honest in all your dealings with others. If you're an employer don't take advantage of your employees. Don't mock those with handicapping conditions. Treat your neighbors right. Love others in the way you should love yourself. And an interesting item in verse 28, don't get a tattoo.
The wisdom behind these commandments is profound. Their existence helped form most of the laws used by governments around the world, including ours. If kept in they way they are written, our relationship with others and God would wonderful. These reflect a caring, beyond ourselves attitude; such an attitude brings fullness of life, joy, love, and peace.
Are you well acquainted with all of God's laws? Are you aware of how they came to fulfillment in Jesus Christ?
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank you for Your love and the way Your love is expressed in these laws. Let me look beyond the letter of the law to the love I should have in my heart for You and others. Forgive me those times I have put myself first and have neglected You and others. Free me for a joyful life. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

WHAT'S COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH?

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today: Tuesday: Leviticus 16, 17, 18What ties do you see between the instructions for the Day of Atonement and the prohibitions that follow against the eating and/or drinking of blood?
The teaching is plain. The blood of an animal, God says, is its life. To kill an animal as an atonement for sin means the animal carries sin in it and to eat its blood is to eat sin. God further states in the readings that one should just not eat blood. Growing up and even in recent times, cabrito en sangre was a delicacy for some of my relatives. For those who don't know Spanish, learn. But I'll help you this time: Cabrito means goat. En Sangre means in blood. Therefore, cabrito en sangre means goat in blood or in its own blood. And that's the way it was cooked. I have to confess I never felt tempted to try it and to this day I have not. I have to confess that I do love barbecued goat or whatever it is they butcher and put in the windows of cabrito restaurants in Reynosa and Monterrey, Mexico. Cabrito guisado is not to my liking, which is like carne guisada, made with a flour-based gravy.
The teaching from today's reading is as much a lesson in hygiene as it is in spirituality. To eat the blood of an animal in those days was not considered clean. And to have eaten one killed to take away one's sins was also not considered clean. However, it is interesting to know that in Holy Communion, the representation of Christ's blood as a memorial to what He paid for us, does allow us to drink the cup in remembrance of all He did for us; to receive God's love for us.
Jesus would also say it is not what goes into our mouths but out of them, that makes us unclean.
How are you living? Are words of life, that build up, and help, coming out of your mouth? Or are you making yourself unclean by negativity or criticism and anger?
PRAYER: GOD of life and love, make me clean. Cleanse my heart and mind so that my mouth will sing Your praises. Use my mouth to build up today. Help me to share a kind word with someone who needs one. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

BEING UNCLEAN

Good day dear friends. I trust you who read this were in your church yesterday praising God and celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus and the birth of the Christian Church!
Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Leviticus 14, 15
There is a connection between our physical and spiritual defiling. List some examples from your life that prove this.
Leviticus 141 God spoke to Moses, 2 "These are the instructions for the infected person at the time of his cleansing. First, bring him to the priest. 3 The priest will take him outside the camp and make an examination; if the infected person has been healed of the serious skin disease, 4 the priest will order two live, clean birds, some cedar wood, scarlet thread, and hyssop to be brought for the one to be cleansed. 5 The priest will order him to kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. 6 The priest will then take the live bird with the cedar wood, the scarlet thread, and the hyssop and dip them in the blood of the dead bird over fresh water 7 and then sprinkle the person being cleansed from the serious skin disease seven times and pronounce him clean. Finally, he will release the live bird in the open field. 8 The cleansed person, after washing his clothes, shaving off all his hair, and bathing with water, is clean. Afterwards he may again enter the camp, but he has to live outside his tent for seven days. 9 On the seventh day, he must shave off all his hair - from his head, beard, eyebrows, all of it. He then must wash his clothes and bathe all over with water. He will be clean.
10 "The next day, the eighth day, he will bring two lambs without defect and a yearling ewe without defect, along with roughly six quarts of fine flour mixed with oil. 11 The priest who pronounces him clean will place him and the materials for his offerings in the presence of God at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 12 The priest will take one of the lambs and present it and the pint of oil as a Compensation-Offering and lift them up as a Wave-Offering before God. 13 He will slaughter the lamb in the place where the Absolution-Offering and the Whole-Burnt-Offering are slaughtered, in the Holy Place, because like the Absolution-Offering, the Compensation-Offering belongs to the priest; it is most holy. 14 The priest will now take some of the blood of the Compensation-Offering and put it on the right earlobe of the man being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 15 Following that he will take some oil and pour it into the palm of his left hand 16 and then with the finger of his right hand sprinkle oil seven times before God. 17 The priest will put some of the remaining oil on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, placing it on top of the blood of the Compensation-Offering. 18 He will put the rest of the oil on the head of the man being cleansed and make atonement for him before God. 19 "Finally the priest will sacrifice the Absolution-Offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness, slaughter the Whole-Burnt-Offering 20 and offer it with the Grain-Offering on the Altar. He has made atonement for him. He is clean.
21 "If he is poor and cannot afford these offerings, he will bring one male lamb as a Compensation-Offering to be offered as a Wave-Offering to make atonement for him, and with it a couple of quarts of fine flour mixed with oil for a Grain-Offering, a pint of oil, 22 and two doves or pigeons which he can afford, one for an Absolution-Offering and the other for a Whole-Burnt-Offering. 23 "On the eighth day he will bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the presence of God. 24 The priest will take the lamb for the Compensation-Offering together with the pint of oil and wave them before God as a Wave-Offering. 25 He will slaughter the lamb for the Compensation-Offering, take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 26 The priest will pour some of the oil into the palm of his left hand, 27 and with his right finger sprinkle some of the oil from his palm seven times before God. 28 He will put some of the oil that is in his palm on the same places he put the blood of the Compensation-Offering, on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 29 The priest will take what is left of the oil in his palm and put it on the head of the one to be cleansed, making atonement for him before God. 30 "At the last, he will sacrifice the doves or pigeons which are within his means, 31 one as an Absolution-Offering and the other as a Whole-Burnt-Offering along with the Grain-Offering. Following this procedure the priest will make atonement for the one to be cleansed before God." 32 These are the instructions to be followed for anyone who has a serious skin disease and cannot afford the regular offerings for his cleansing.
33 God spoke to Moses and Aaron, 34 "When you enter the land of Canaan, which I'm giving to you as a possession, and I put a serious fungus in a house in the land of your possession, 35 the householder is to go and tell the priest, 'I have some kind of fungus in my house.' 36 The priest is to order the house vacated until he can come to examine the fungus, so that nothing in the house is declared unclean. 37 When the priest comes and examines the house, if the fungus on the walls of the house has greenish or rusty swelling that appears to go deeper than the surface of the wall, 38 the priest is to walk out the door and shut the house up for seven days. 39 On the seventh day he is to come back and conduct another examination; if the fungus has spread in the walls of the house, 40 he is to order that the stones affected by the fungus be torn out and thrown in a garbage dump outside the city. 41 He is to make sure the entire inside of the house is scraped and the plaster that is removed be taken away to the garbage dump outside the city. 42 Then he is to replace the stones and replaster the house. 43 "If the fungus breaks out again in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house has been scraped and plastered, 44 the priest is to come and conduct an examination; if the fungus has spread, it is a malignant fungus. The house is unclean. 45 The house has to be demolished - its stones, wood, and plaster are to be removed to the garbage dump outside the city. 46 Anyone who enters the house while it is closed up is unclean until evening. 47 Anyone who sleeps or eats in the house must wash his clothes. 48 "But if when the priest comes and conducts his examination, he finds that the fungus has not spread after the house has been replastered, the priest is to declare that the house is clean; the fungus is cured. 49 He then is to purify the house by taking two birds, some cedar wood, scarlet thread, and hyssop. 50 He will slaughter one bird over fresh water in a clay pot. 51 Then he will take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet thread, and the living bird, dip them in the blood of the killed bird and the fresh water and sprinkle the house seven times, 52 cleansing the house with the blood of the bird, the fresh water, the living bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet thread. 53 Last of all, he will let the living bird loose outside the city in the open field. He has made atonement for the house; the house is clean.
54 "These are the procedures to be followed for every kind of serious skin disease or itch, 55 for mildew or fungus on clothing or in a house, 56 and for a swelling or blister or shiny spot 57 in order to determine when it is unclean and when it is clean. These are the procedures regarding infectious skin diseases and mildew and fungus."
Leviticus 151 God spoke to Moses and Aaron, 2 "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them: When a man has a discharge from his genitals, the discharge is unclean. 3 Whether it comes from a seepage or an obstruction he is unclean. He is unclean all the days his body has a seepage or an obstruction. 4 "Every bed on which he lies is ritually unclean, everything on which he sits is unclean. 5 If someone touches his bed or sits on anything he's sat on, or touches the man with the discharge, he has to wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains unclean until evening. 6 7 8 "If the man with the discharge spits on someone who is clean, that person has to wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains unclean until evening. 9 Every saddle on which the man with the discharge rides is unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that has been under him becomes unclean until evening. Anyone who carries such an object must wash his clothes and bathe with water; he remains unclean until evening. 11 If the one with the discharge touches someone without first rinsing his hands with water, the one touched must wash his clothes and bathe with water; he remains unclean until evening. 12 "If a pottery container is touched by someone with a discharge, you must break it; a wooden article is to be rinsed in water. 13 "When a person with a discharge is cleansed from it, he is to count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe in running water. Then he is clean. 14 On the eighth day he is to take two doves or two pigeons and come before God at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and give them to the priest. 15 The priest then offers one as an Absolution-Offering and one as a Whole-Burnt-Offering and makes atonement for him in the presence of God because of his discharge. 16 "When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his entire body in water; he remains unclean until evening. 17 Every piece of clothing and everything made of leather which gets semen on it must be washed with water; it remains unclean until evening. 18 When a man sleeps with a woman and has an emission of semen, both are to wash in water; they remain unclean until evening.
19 "When a woman has a discharge of blood, the impurity of her menstrual period lasts seven days. Anyone who touches her is unclean until evening. 20 Everything on which she lies or sits during her period is unclean. 21 Anyone who touches her bed or anything on which she sits must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains unclean until evening. 22 23 24 "If a man sleeps with her and her menstrual blood gets on him, he is unclean for seven days and every bed on which he lies becomes unclean. 25 "If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, but not at the time of her monthly period, or has a discharge that continues beyond the time of her period, she is unclean the same as during the time of her period. 26 Every bed on which she lies during the time of the discharge and everything on which she sits becomes unclean the same as in her monthly period. 27 Anyone who touches these things becomes unclean and must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains unclean until evening. 28 "When she is cleansed from her discharge, she is to count off seven days; then she is clean. 29 On the eighth day she is to take two doves and two pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 30 The priest will offer one for an Absolution-Offering and the other for a Whole-Burnt-Offering. The priest will make atonement for her in the presence of God because of the discharge that made her unclean. 31 "You are responsible for keeping the People of Israel separate from that which makes them ritually unclean, lest they die in their unclean condition by defiling my Dwelling which is among them. 32 "These are the procedures to follow for a man with a discharge or an emission of semen that makes him unclean, 33 and for a woman in her menstrual period - any man or woman with a discharge and also for a man who sleeps with a woman who is unclean."

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

1 God spoke to Moses: 2 "Tell the People of Israel: A woman who conceives and gives birth to a boy is ritually unclean for seven days, the same as during her menstruation. 3 On the eighth day circumcise the boy. 4 The mother must stay home another thirty-three days for purification from her bleeding. She may not touch anything consecrated or enter the Sanctuary until the days of her purification are complete. 5 If she gives birth to a girl, she is unclean for fourteen days, the same as during her menstruation. She must stay home for sixty-six days for purification from her bleeding.
6 "When the days for her purification for either a boy or a girl are complete, she will bring a yearling lamb for a Whole-Burnt-Offering and a pigeon or dove for an Absolution-Offering to the priest at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. 7 He will offer it to God and make atonement for her. She is then clean from her flow of blood. "These are the instructions for a woman who gives birth to either a boy or a girl. 8 "If she can't afford a lamb, she can bring two doves or two pigeons, one for the Whole-Burnt-Offering and one for the Absolution-Offering. The priest will make atonement for her and she will be clean."
1 God spoke to Moses and Aaron, 2 "When someone has a swelling or a blister or a shiny spot on the skin that might signal a serious skin disease on the body, bring him to Aaron the priest or to one of his priest sons. 3 The priest will examine the sore on the skin. If the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears more than skin deep, it is a serious skin disease and infectious. After the priest has examined it, he will pronounce the person unclean. 4 "If the shiny spot on the skin is white but appears to be only on the surface and the hair has not turned white, the priest will quarantine the person for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest will examine it again; if, in his judgment, the sore is the same and has not spread, the priest will keep him in quarantine for another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest will examine him a second time; if the sore has faded and hasn't spread, the priest will declare him clean - it is a harmless rash. The person can go home and wash his clothes; he is clean. 7 But if the sore spreads after he has shown himself to the priest and been declared clean, he must come back again to the priest 8 who will conduct another examination. If the sore has spread, the priest will pronounce him unclean - it is a serious skin disease and infectious. 9 "Whenever someone has a serious and infectious skin disease, you must bring him to the priest. 10 The priest will examine him; if there is a white swelling in the skin, the hair is turning white, and there is an open sore in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease. The priest will pronounce him unclean. But he doesn't need to quarantine him because he's already given his diagnosis of unclean. 12 If a serious disease breaks out that covers all the skin from head to foot, wherever the priest looks, 13 the priest will make a thorough examination; if the disease covers his entire body, he will pronounce the person with the sore clean - since it has turned all white, he is clean. 14 But if they are open, running sores, he is unclean. 15 The priest will examine the open sores and pronounce him unclean. The open sores are unclean; they are evidence of a serious skin disease. 16 But if the open sores dry up and turn white, he is to come back to the priest 17 who will reexamine him; if the sores have turned white, the priest will pronounce the person with the sores clean. He is clean.
18 "When a person has a boil and it heals 19 and in place of the boil there is white swelling or a reddish-white shiny spot, the person must present himself to the priest 20 for an examination. If it looks like it has penetrated the skin and the hair in it has turned white, the priest will pronounce him unclean. It is a serious skin disease that has broken out in the boil. 21 But if the examination shows that there is no white hair in it and it is only skin deep and has faded, the priest will put him in quarantine for seven days. 22 If it then spreads over the skin, the priest will diagnose him as unclean. It is infectious. 23 But if the shiny spot has not changed and hasn't spread, it's only a scar from the boil. The priest will pronounce him clean. 24 "When a person has a burn on his skin and the raw flesh turns into a reddish-white or white shiny spot, 25 the priest is to examine it. If the hair has turned white in the shiny spot and it looks like it's more than skin deep, a serious skin disease has erupted in the area of the burn. The priest will pronounce him unclean; it is a serious skin disease and infectious. 26 But if on examination there is no white hair in the shiny spot and it doesn't look to be more than skin deep but has faded, the priest will put him in quarantine for seven days. 27 On the seventh day the priest will reexamine him. If by then it has spread over the skin, the priest will diagnose him as unclean; it is a serious skin disease and infectious. 28 If by that time the shiny spot has stayed the same and has not spread but has faded, it is only a swelling from the burn. The priest will pronounce him clean; it's only a scar from the burn. 29 "If a man or woman develops a sore on the head or chin, 30 the priest will offer a diagnosis. If it looks as if it is under the skin and the hair in it is yellow and thin, he will pronounce the person ritually unclean. It is an itch, an infectious skin disease. 31 But if when he examines the itch, he finds it is only skin deep and there is no black hair in it, he will put the person in quarantine for seven days. 32 On the seventh day he will reexamine the sore; if the itch has not spread, there is no yellow hair in it, and it looks as if the itch is only skin deep, 33 the person must shave, except for the itch; the priest will send him back to quarantine for another seven days. 34 If the itch has not spread, and looks to be only skin deep, the priest will pronounce him clean. The person can go home and wash his clothes; he is clean. 35 But if the itch spreads after being pronounced clean, 36 the priest must reexamine it; if the itch has spread in the skin, he doesn't have to look any farther, for yellow hair, for instance; he is unclean. 37 But if he sees that the itch is unchanged and black hair has begun to grow in it, the itch is healed. The person is clean and the priest will pronounce him clean.
38 "When a man or woman gets shiny or white shiny spots on the skin, 39 the priest is to make an examination; if the shiny spots are dull white, it is only a rash that has broken out: The person is clean. 40 "When a man loses his hair and goes bald, he is clean. 41 If he loses his hair from his forehead, he is bald and he is clean. 42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on scalp or forehead, it means a serious skin disease is breaking out. 43 The priest is to examine it; if the swollen sore on his scalp or forehead is reddish-white like the appearance of the sore of a serious skin disease, 44 he has a serious skin disease and is unclean. The priest has to pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head. 45 "Any person with a serious skin disease must wear torn clothes, leave his hair loose and unbrushed, cover his upper lip, and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 46 As long as anyone has the sores, that one continues to be ritually unclean. That person must live alone; he or she must live outside the camp.
47 "If clothing - woolen or linen clothing, 48 woven or knitted cloth of linen or wool, leather or leatherwork - is infected with a patch of serious fungus 49 and if the spot in the clothing or the leather or the woven or the knitted material or anything made of leather is greenish or rusty, that is a sign of serious fungus. Show it to the priest. 50 The priest will examine the spot and then confiscate the material for seven days. 51 On the seventh day he will reexamine the spot. If it has spread in the garment - the woven or knitted or leather material - it is the spot of a persistent serious fungus and the material is unclean. 52 He must burn the garment. Because of the persistent and contaminating fungus, the material must be burned. 53 But if when the priest examines it the spot has not spread in the garment, 54 the priest will command the owner to wash the material that has the spot, and he will confiscate it for another seven days. 55 He'll then make another examination after it has been washed; if the spot hasn't changed in appearance, even though it hasn't spread, it is still unclean. Burn it up, whether the fungus has affected the back or the front. 56 If, when the priest makes his examination, the spot has faded after it has been washed, he is to tear the spot from the garment. 57 But if it reappears, it is a fresh outbreak - throw whatever has the spot in the fire. 58 If the garment is washed and the spot has gone away, then wash it a second time; it is clean. 59 "These are the instructions regarding a spot of serious fungus in clothing of wool or linen, woven or knitted material, or any article of leather, for pronouncing them clean or unclean."

THE HOLINESS OF WORSHIP

Good Holy Saturday dear friends. Today was the day of waiting for the disciples. Not having much to do they hid Easter eggs; no just kidding! Although it has become a tradition for the Christian church, and ours gets started later today.
Here is our study guide for today: Saturday: Lev. 10, 11Why were Aaron and his other sons not to mourn the death of Nadab and Abihu?
We share The Message version for its ease in reading, but being a paraphrase and one that seeks to be modern, we miss some of the real meaning in some of the words. Today's question involves the wrongdoing by two of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu. The Message version says they offered "strange" fire and if we had no other reference, we wouldn't know what that was. The New Revised Standard Version said this was "unholy" fire, which makes it easier to understand. God had instructed them to follow His commands and not to go off and do whatever they felt like doing and apparently that included the offering fire. It one offers an unholy fire to the Lord then God will not accept it. In this case it cost Nadab and Abihu their lives.
Their death for disobedience caused Moses to order his brother Aaron not to mourn their deaths. He told them that the whole congregation would mourn their deaths, but he and his remaining sons were to continue in their service to God.
The worship of God was seen as something very serious and sacred. To be obedient to God in worship was to strictly follow all that God ordered; to veer from that had its consequences. The very basic of the components of worship had to be faithful acts. To burn an unholy fire was to make the one offering it up unholy, and to be unholy in the holiest of places made one vulnerable to death.
After the sacrifice of Christ, our worship is still as sacred and serious but not in the form and format. Jesus became the High Priest for us and truly is the "bridge" (Latin for priest is ponte; Spanish word is puente) between God and humans. Ours is a relationship form of worship more than a ritual one. God desires us to be holy in our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits so that we can truly feel His presence and His leading.
Are you ready for Lent to end? The Resurrection of Jesus marks the celebration of God's awesome power showing us that we do indeed have victory over sin and death. Are you ready? What will you do about it?
PRAYER: Loving God of Resurrection Power, bring new life to my life. Help me to be in an honest and true relationship with us. I ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
See you at one of our services tomorrow: 7, 8:30, 9:45, 10:45 Contemporary, 11:00 Traditional. Or if you live outside of SM, find a church to worship in!
e.v.

OUTWARD SIGNS OF AN INWARD GRACE

Good day dear friends.
Today is Good Friday. As a dear friend wrote early this morning, "Good for Heaven, bad for Hell; good for me, bad for the enemy of my soul." And so it is. What will you make of this day?
A reminder: If you're a member of First UMC here in San Marcos, we have a worship service tonight at seven. If you're a member elsewhere, please find out when your service is.
Also to the members of FUMCSM: The First United Methodist Church's Easter Egg hunt, will be take place, at the Church, instead of at Pecan Park. The schedule will stay the same; games beginning at 10:00 a.m., egg hunt will start at 10:30-10:40, followed by a potluck lunch (meat will be provided). There will be lots of eggs to find!
Here is our study guide for today: Friday: Leviticus 7,8,9There is an “elevation offering” mentioned several times in these readings. Do we have something comparable?
What is mentioned in these readings is an exterior or visible sign of what should be happening inside of our spirits. The ancient way of the Jews as they offered up "Compensation" or "guilt" offerings (depending on your version of Bible you used), showed outwardly what the people should have felt inwardly. Today we celebrate what Jesus offered up as the Ultimate Sacrifice, the giving of Himself as the Paschal Lamb, He "who takes away the sins of the world." Our problem is that we tend to leave that "out there" and not in our hearts where true repentance should be taking place. God outlined for Moses and the priests all that God expected in this visible form of worship, knowing that true forgiveness and washing comes from within, when we truly repent of our sins and turn towards God.
What does this day mean for you? It is Good Friday, claimed as such by the Church to declare that Christ's death on the cross was good, not bad, because of what took place in the spiritual realm. Are you getting right with God within? Are you accepting Christ's death as your personal gift of love from God the father for you?
PRAYER: Father, today the greatest price ever paid for us took place on the trash heap outside of Jerusalem; your Son Jesus, died in my place. I am not worthy, but I ask that You help me realize all that is mine because of that death. Let my visible worship reflect the true praise that is taking place on the outside. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Good day dear friends.
Today is Maundy Thursday, named so for the "New Commandment" given to the disciples on that night. Remember what it was? To love one another. It seems almost like what most parents tell their children, to love one another.
Here is the study guide for today: Thursday: Leviticus 4,5,6Why do we have to deal with “unintentionally” committed sins? In what way can we say it is a sin if we didn’t commit it intentionally?
"I wasn't thinking..." or "I didn't know I was..." or "What was I thinking?" We've been there and said that because of something we did then realized it was wrong. And the Israelites were no exception. And God knew it. We sometimes sin "unintentionally" because we don't "think." And "think" in this case refers to living an unled, unprayed-for, life. Not that any of us are perfect and don't sin either intentionally or unintentionally; we do sin. A sin is anytime we commit something that "misses the mark." Like missing the bulleye on a target, to sin is to fall short of what God expects. We do that whether we're thinking or not, and usually more when we're not thinking.
God makes provision for us to be cleaned of this through Jesus. In the passages for today, God provided the cleansing through the prescribed formula we find in the passages. Note that the animal that should be sacrificed for an unintentional sin is a bull. It's as if to say, there's no such thing as a "little sin." A sin is a sin just like a lie is a lie even if we say, "It's just a little white lie."
What are you thinking? And Who's guiding you?
PRAYER: Loving God, I ask forgiveness for not thinking and for breaking Your law and hurting others all because I did not think. Guide me to a deeper understanding of what you offer. Guide me daily, I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.

DAILY WORSHIP

Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today: Wednesday: Leviticus 1, 2, 3Compare the Levitical Order of Worship with your church’s Order of Worship. What siginificance carries over into your everyday life of the things in the OFW?
The central part of worship is giving. The giving of ourselves to the Lord; the giving of our worship and praise; the giving of our money to the Lord. The readings for today emphasize that in all three chapters.
Our order of worship of course can be, and should be, applied to our daily life. We're called to center ourselves on the Lord as we gather ourselves together for the day. No better way to begin the day than in prayer. We're called to worship in our hearts in all things at any part of the day. We should sing praises or hymns during the day. I find that most Sundays one of the hymns from that morning just stay with me and I find myself either singing or whistling the tune over and over. And most Mondays I find the same is true. Music can do a lot for the good of our soul. We should read the Word and hear the Word in any way or chance we get. If you don't remember the sermon, go online to www.fumcsm.org and rehear the sermon or one you may have missed. We should find opportunities to give during the day. If it isn't money, give a smile, a hug, a pat on the back, a handshake, a gesture of love; you'll be blessed!
How will you worship the Lord today?
PRAYER: God of every aspect of life, help me to glorify You today in all that I do. I pray this in the Name of He who did the same, Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
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THE SPECIALNESS OF WORSHIP

Good day dear friends.Please be in prayer for the special and very holy services set forThursday, Friday and Sunday. May the Light of He who rose from thedead shine upon those who have yet to see!Here is our study guide:Tuesday: Exodus 37, 38, 39, 40.List as many as possible the products that went into the Tabernacle.It is quite an extensive list of all that God required for atraveling church. But it was a daily church, that is to say, worshipwas central to their forty-year journey. Every day that one lookedupon the Tabernacle and all that went inside, it was a reminder ofall God had done and all that God was, is, and will be, in theirlives. One could easily say, what a demanding God! We can just aseasily turn that around to say that we are a demanding people. Goddemanded that His house be dressed and built with the finest theearth had to offer, a reminder that God made all things and deservesall things. To see the list of precious stones and metals that wentinto this church, is to see the list, partial list, of all that Godmade and shared with us.The dress of those who led worship was certainly different from thosewalking alongside the tabernacle, but it was a reminder that thosewho serve were set apart from the rest. Their work was to be done inthe service of God and so their vestments and dress reflected thenature of their work; holy and special. Again, not to point tothemselves, put to point to God. God is He whom we worship.What do we do special in our daily life to worship God? Have we aspecial place or special furnishing to do our daily prayers and ourdevotional readings? It's not required, but just to set apart timeis appropriate enough. On our day of worship, it is something elseto go and spend time with God in God's house. Next time you're therelook around and see what all has been placed there to aid ourworship. See if something doesn't catch your attention as beingspecial because of the specialness of God.God is everywhere and God is worthy to be praised. But God calls usinto fellowship and praise as a corporate community.Come and praise God together!PRAYER: Loving God, let me thoughts, prayers, readings, and all thatI do today and all days remind me of Your love and greatness. Helpme to seek to be a part of the worshipping community, especiallyduring this special week in which we remember all that God has donefor us. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!e.v.

'SECOND CHANCE' GOD

Good day dear friends. Happy Holy Week! Please be in prayer for this week's special services at our church (or yours if you're an out-of-town reader!). Ours will be Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.
Here is our study guide for today: Monday: Exodus 34, 35,36 Ponder the second giving of the Law and the renewed promise that came with it, and compare the “second chance” God has brought to your life.
Our God is a God of second, third, fourth, fifth, infinite chances. I personally am thankful for the many "second chances" I have received in my life. In today's reading, Moses receives once again the Law as given by God along with God's promise to be with them and to guide and protect them. Their obligation was to be obedient and faithful to God. God is pretty specific with Israel as they are about to enter the land of other gods and warns them not to be attracted by their style of worship. Israel was a monotheistic culture and they were entering into a land filled with sex religions and many gods. God warns them to stay away from those who practiced such things.
What second chance has God brought to your life recently and what have you done about it? How have you shown your gratitude to the Lord?
PRAYER: God of many chances, I thank you for being my God and for giving me new opportunities to serve. Let me serve You and Yours, and let me show my gratitude to You in any and every way that I can. I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
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