Victorious Life

God thinks you are AWESOME! Focus on what you can do and not on what you wish you could do. Then what seemed to be impossible will become possible. The Bible is God’s love story to humanity. Today, we will focus on Leviticus 3 which details the fellowship or peace offering to God.

A bull or cow, lamb, or goat was to be slaughtered and blood was to be splashed against the sides of the altar. The internal organs and fat were burned on the altar. The purpose of the offerings was a sacrifice to take the place of sins for a righteous relationship with God.

Today, we can be thankful for Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. By accepting Christ, we are in a right relationship with God and are blessed with the unseen, the eternal, and supernatural. We can be grateful for what we do have and enjoy the present by cultivating our strengths with the desire to serve others in love.

To grow in joy and find the peace of God, the best thing you can do is accept His Plan which gives a sense of security, well-being, and confidence for a victorious life. Like the photo below of the runner finishing the race, go the distance by running the right way, the hard way, the team way, and the victorious way. At the end of the finish line, desire to hear the words “well done my faithful servant”.

Lord, this day we are at peace because we have accepted Your plan for us. You have given each of us certain skills. Help us to cultivate these strengths so we are prepared for the challenges ahead as we fulfill the purpose You have for us. This will bring us joy and be pleasing to You. Amen.

 

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Something to Cheer About

In Micah 5, promised is a ruler from Bethlehem that Micah sees for the future. My friend, the future is now and Christ is with you so dream big and pursue these dreams with confidence and courage.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The memory in the photo below was captured at a Carrie Underwood concert. She’s singing on a stage that looks like it is floating over the crowd. It took confidence to make that happen. Confidence in engineers and a production crew. As we embark on our voyage for the future, let us trust in our crew members and know that a greater power is steering our ship.

The King of kings
Cares for His people
Giving peace of mind
And making us gleeful.

Providing great strength
For our situation
With awe-inspiring
Devine intervention.

Stepping out in a new
Adventurous way
Powered up with
The Spirit today.

Courageous vision
And confidence
Where possible
Is no coincidence.

Even if trouble comes
Attempting to destroy,
Christ brings victory
And there is great joy.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 08-22-2019
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Micah 5”

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Reason for Good Things

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

The post “Offerings of Praise” analyzed Leviticus 2 to explain the ingredients of a grain offering and how this offering was to be prepared.

A thought from this study is that obedience is the mechanism that provides a clear path to where we need to go. In life, we may face disappointment, suffering, and loss but becoming more like Christ sets these difficulties aside and brings joy.

Then tedious chores are endurable and one becomes convinced that each task brings them closer to fulfilling their purpose. Like in the song Every Good Thing by the Afters, God is the reason for all good things and that inspires us to give offerings of praise. 


Index of devotionals

 

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Offerings of Praise

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

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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