Offerings of Praise

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Mark Shields

Explained in Leviticus 2 are the ingredients of the grain offering including the finest flour, olive oil, and incense. The grain offering is made without yeast and seasoned with salt as it is baked in an oven, on a griddle, or pan.

The grain offering with the ingredients above is prepared and presented to Aaron’s sons the priests (v. 2). The priests burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons.

The meaning of covenant and memorial as related to the grain offering was a gift of thanks to God. Made with pure ingredients to symbolize no corruption. Grinded with hands to symbolize dedication to the Lord’s work with the use of our hands. It reminded people that their food came from God and they owed their lives to Him.

Like a great harvest, God has given all that we need. Now it’s time to glorify God by stepping ahead trusting Christ for help in encouraging others, sharing testimony, and being there for those around us. The things we do for God’s glory are our offerings of praise.

 

This day with You Lord will be amazing because we are totally focused on a purpose and the purpose You have for us is a big one. We may not feel that we are ready or capable but that’s not the issue. The issue is about saying “yes” and knowing that we are never alone. Through our prayers, You provide instructions for each step to get us closer to fulfilling our purpose.  Amen.

 

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Clean Heart

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Mark Shields

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 

God gave Moses specific laws and principles because He expects the highest standard of holiness for His people. Within the post “Build a Life with High Standards”, it was noted that the burnt offering of an animal or bird as instructed in Leviticus 1 was the way a person became clean before the Lord.

The purpose of animal sacrifice during Old Testament times was for atonement of sins as the animal died in place of the sinner. Today, Jesus Christ is God’s Plan for the sacrifice of sin. Take inspiration from the song Open Skies by David Crowder Band.
 

 
The skies the limit when we follow God’s Plan. Inch by inch anything is a cinch because of confidence in God. Trust in God’s plan for you and expect good to happen because God thinks you are AWESOME! 

Index of devotionals

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Build a Life with High Standards

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Mark Shields

God gave to Moses specific laws and principles because He expects the highest standard of holiness for His people. Being taught is devotion and dedication in order to build a life with high standards. To accomplish this, we need plans, instructions, and the discipline to follow through day by day.

The burnt offering of an animal or bird as instructed in Leviticus 1 expressed devotion and dedication to the Lord. The blood from the slaughtered animal (bull, sheep, goat) was splashed against the sides of the altar at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The blood from a bird (dove, pigeon) was drained out on the side of the altar.

The result of the burnt offering was that a person met God’s high standard and became clean before Him. The animal sacrifice was for atonement of sins as the animal died in place of the sinner. Today, Jesus Christ is God’s Plan for atonement.

As I reflected on today’s passage, it made me think of how a sky scrapper is built. A plan is made with the architects and the engineers. Then the builders start their work by following the detail plan with certain building standards in order for the tall structure to last over time through the extremes of hot summers and cold winters. Below is a photo of a sky scrapper I took while in downtown Dallas.

Day by day, little things become big things and lead to the amazing with Gods help. Take a look at your daily routine. Are there little things you could tweak or fine-tune? As you set goals, document them and constantly develop tasks to make them happen using the ideas and the help of others.

This day with You Lord, give us the discipline to build our life according to Your instructions. Your design for living is found in Your Word and You expect us to follow the plan You have given. Today, we accept Your plan of Jesus being the sacrifice of our sin. Because of this acceptance, we have the power to go higher and higher as we strive to reach new heights. Amen.

 

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Step Ahead Higher and Higher

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Mark Shields

The poem below was inspired by Micah 4. Within this passage, we get a picture of a future when the world has it together. The populace has discovered God and they step ahead higher and higher.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Jacob’s Ladder on Abilene Christian University Campus

Step ahead higher
On the great adventure
Connected to heaven
And a more grand future.

Step ahead higher
With the Lord in control
So faith, hope, and love
Benefit the soul.

Step ahead higher
To an amazing day
When all are one
In Christ we pray.

Step ahead higher
Sister or brother
Living in peace
Helping each other.

Step ahead higher
Give it a try
On the stairway
Into the sky.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-08-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 4”

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Leviticus 1-5

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Mark Shields

I would like take this time to thank all of you my readers. This blog started from a life transformation group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown to over 1,700 followers. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.

Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far

Index of devotionals

Anyone can join in as we journey together.

Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of Leviticus over the next few weeks, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Leviticus 1
Why did God give Moses such specific laws and principles? What is to be done with the blood from the burnt offerings? What in your daily routine can you adjust, tweak, or fine-tune that allow you to be more devoted and dedicated to God’s plan for high standards in your life?

Leviticus 2
What are the ingredients of a grain offering? How are they to be prepared? What is the meaning of covenant and memorial as related to the grain offering?

Leviticus 3
What elements of the peace offering are reserved for the Lord? What is the purpose of the peace offering (See Gen. 26:26-31)? Can you do anything today to bring God pleasure? Are you at peace with God?

Leviticus 4
What indicates that the gravity of sin increases with positions of leadership and responsibility? What (in statement and symbolism) gives assurance of complete and final forgiveness for the beneficiary of the sacrifice? How does today’s passage make you want to share with others about how important the life of Christ became as our ultimate sacrifice for our sin?

Leviticus 5
What is God’s attitude toward a witness who hides his knowledge of a crime?  What provisions are made for the offerings of the poor? What does God’s Word emphasize to do when someone does something wrong?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

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