I’ve been reading through the Bible chronologically this year. If you’re a person like me that a tad OCD when it comes to organization, I would highly recommend it. It has really brought the Bible alive to me.
I’ve been in Leviticus the past week where God explains to the Israelites in great detail how to build the temple and everything in it. Then He goes on to explain in more detail what to bring for burnt offerings. One overriding theme was to bring him animals with NO DEFECTS. Don’t bring him the gimpy goat with a bad leg, the bird with a broken wing or your moldy grain; bring him your BEST animals. Your first fruits so to speak.
This has been stirring down deep in me since I read it. Now, I’ve read these verses before but I don’t think I ever REALLY read these verses. Do you know what I mean?
Do I bring God my best? or do I bring him “the me” that’s leftover after the world is finished with me. What are my actions showing Him? Am I really present during my quiet time? Am I fully engaged in worship? or is my head already going on to the next “thing” I need to do when I’m finished with the present task? Am I going through the motions so to speak or am I bringing my best?
It was really brought home at church this weekend. God didn’t give us his leftovers. He didn’t feed us the extra spaghetti from dinner the night before. He gave us His first fruits. He GAVE us His Son, His one and ONLY SON, His perfect Son upon the cross to pay for all of my sins including the leftovers I bring to Him on a regular basis.
Does God demand perfection out of us? I don’t believe so. I’m sure He’d love it but He already knows we’re going to mess up. The key isn’t about not messing up and being perfect. Jesus already covered our imperfections by being painfully stretched on the cross. The key is humbling ourselves and receiving the forgiveness & grace God offers for our screw ups. We just have to humbly present ourselves to Him and ask.
I, for one need to start over fresh daily and bring my best. I need to bring my first fruits on a more consistent basis and not the leftover spaghetti from last night.
Just some thoughts that have been rolling around in my head these last few days. Have a great Sunday!
%5B6%5D.jpg "St Luke (26)")
I'm reading chronologically this year too...my first try at this method and I have to say I like it. I think I'm remembering more because I like order. Although, Job mixed in with depressing January weather was a little bit tough! : )
ReplyDeleteI think it was in 1 Samuel that the priests were saving the best for themselves and giving the rest as sacrifices...God asked if they would feed the same to their governor---could you imagine having an important person come to your home and you give him something from the back of the fridge---how much more important is God to us, yet I'm guilty of giving him the pb and j version of myself! Thanks for the thoughts to ponder :)
ReplyDeleteWhat thought provoking questions! I has certainly gotten me to thinking.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori. Those are good thoughts to consider. This is not the time for autopilot.
ReplyDeleteI have a note written to myself in my Bible Lori - "don't give God your leftovers." I've noticed we can read a verse multiple times but until we're ready for it, really ready, it isn't revealed to us. Just like David spent 15 years getting ready to be king, sometimes God spends some time getting us ready for particular verses. blessings, marlene
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord, I am a screw up saved by greace. Enjoyed this so much. You need to ponder and share those thought more often....really good stuff. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThese may have been "just some thoughts", but they are mighty powerful thoughts. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, well spoken from the heart.
ReplyDeleteMany Blessings.