those walking beside us

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 2     A march is not designed for individuality.  It works best when everyone is in his place.  The march to the promised land was to be accomplished tribe by tribe, with the tent of meeting at the center. 

Our relationship with God is an individual thing, but our walk with God requires some order.  That is one of the reasons God gave us churches. They provide fellowship, and a kind of identity.  They can also be a means that the Holy Spirit can use to plug us in to what he wants to do in our locality.

LORD, give us the wisdom to commit to our local churches to help us in our Christian walk.

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those walking with us

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 1     A potential army in excess of 600,000 men is formidable in any age.  The census was meant to be an encouragement to the Israelites. It was intended to remind them that God has been faithful, and to bring them courage as they face obstacles to reaching their objective: the promised land. 

We, also, need to stop and take a look at those walking with us on the way to eternity.  If we look closely, we will be encouraged seeing how God has brought these people to us as a gift of fellowship.  They are visible signs of God’s faithfulness to his covenant.

LORD, thank you for the others who march by our side. 

Posted in church, commitment, dependence upon God, encouragement, faithfulness, fellowship, providence | Tagged | 1 Comment

devotion and value

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd at beachLeviticus 27

The whole book of Leviticus speaks to the question of what one does with one’s life once it has been rescued by the blood of the Lamb.  The regulations in the final chapter have to do with vows made toward the upkeep of the tabernacle and priests.  

I think it is significant that once a person or property is devoted to the LORD, his or its value increases.  From an eternal perspective, this is always true.  Only things done for the LORD and his kingdom will last.  Only people dedicated to him are going to share in his eternal life.

LORD, thank you for reminding us how valuable we are to you.  

Posted in commitment, discipleship, eternal life, kingdom of God, redemption, relationship with God | Tagged | 1 Comment

devotion and discipline

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 26     The LORD warned those whom he recued that it would be a serious thing to disregard his rules.  The chief application today is not for those who want to be saved, but for those who think they are.  The way to live God’s life is by obeying God’s rules.  The sanctified life is the surrendered life.  God’s faithfulness cuts both ways.  If we surrender to him, he will protect and prosper us.  If we rebel, he will discipline us, because he wants to restore our relationship.

LORD, give us the wisdom to remain faithful to the new covenant in Christ.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, obedience, relationship with God, submission | Tagged | 1 Comment

devotion and redemption

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 25    The LORD commanded the Israelites to live under an economic  system that reflected his character as rescuer and redeemer.  Both the land and its occupants were to be geared towards rescue.  The poor were to be progressing toward freedom and wholeness.  The land was to be progressing towards rest and fullness.  Each Israelite was personally responsible to treat the land and his neighbors in such a way that they progressed and became more fruitful.  Our relationship with the LORD should lead to rescuing the world around us from decay and bondage.

LORD, make us people who reflect you as rescuer and redeemer.

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devotion and testimony

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 24     This chapter links together two things that seem very different. It starts with commands to maintain the holy place in the tabernacle (particularly the lamps and the showbread) and it ends with commands to execute blasphemers. 

The concept that links the two is testimony.  The holy place was a perpetual testimony to the provision from the LORD of light (knowledge) and life.  Anyone who was found with a defiled testimony, either by injustice or blasphemy, must be punished.  The LORD wants his people to live like his presence is among them, because it is.

LORD, make us loyal to you in our lives and testimonies.

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devotion and time

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 23     The Israelites were not rescued from Egyptian bondage so that they could spend the rest of their days on  me – time.  No, their time was the LORDs.  He described how it should be spent.  Their days and weeks and months and years were to be lived according to the LORD’s schedule.  The feasts were appointed feasts.

Another key to going beyond rescue to sanctification, is ordering your time according to your Savior LORD.  While we are now under a new covenant, this principle remains.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24).

LORD, we commit our time to your schedule.

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devotion and defiled offerings

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 22:17-33       God neither wants nor is pleased by the offerings of foreigners.  The Israelites were to follow strict guidelines to make sure that what was presented to the LORD was in perfect condition.  He was more interested in obedience that more offerings.

Today the LORD does not require that we sacrifice our animals to him, but he is still very interested in our obedience, and our commitment to be his wholeheartedly.  He enjoys our worship, but he does not want us to worship more.  He wants more of us in our worship.

LORD, we want to worship you with acceptable offerings.

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devotion and defiled service

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 21:1-22:16     Moses was commanded to warn Aaron that those of his descendants who were not qualified to enter the LORD’s presence in ministry must not presume to do so.  A physical defect or a marriage outside the parameters for the priesthood, or a temporary defilement were among the reasons a person would be deemed unfit. 

In the covenant established by Christ, and paid for by his blood, there are also things that would render a believer unfit for ministry.  We should not presume upon God’s grace, but seek his forgiveness and cleansing before attempting to serve others in God’s name.

LORD, forgive us for presuming to serve with defiled hands.

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devotion and separation

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

jd-at-beachLeviticus 20    Once you have given your life to Christ, you cannot go back.  God’s Holy Spirit will drive you to repentance until your relationship with the LORD is restored.  His goal is to sanctify you. 

This reality is seen in the LORD’s commands to the Israelites here.  Since they have been rescued by the LORD, they are not allowed to live like the nations around them.  God says:

“You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Leviticus 20:26 ESV)

The separated life is not a monastic life.  It is a life lived differently.

LORD, forgive us for seeking the status quo when you have called us to rise higher.

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