Obedience & Sacrifice

Romans 5:19
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.


Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.


The concept of obedience to God has become paramount in my mind as a result of reading Exodus and Leviticus. Both books are filled with laws that govern how to present sacrifices to God. I thought that obedience would be more pleasing to God since obedience is a willing act rather than a governed act. However, a search of Bible scriptures has helped me understand that God is still pleased with sacrifice. However, the sacrifice is longer an animal sacrifice but a spiritual sacrifice. Reflecting upon these concepts has he;ped me see that God wants to know what we are willing to give Him that will demonstrate our love and honor for HIm. God wants our praise and communication with Him, but God also wants us to be able to let go of the promises of the world without hesitation. If we really want a close relationship with God, we must be able to give up our life (obedience) so that we can live and die for God daily (sacrifice) to receive everlasting life.

The Tabernacle

I have become fascinated with the exact dimensions that God gave Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle which would serve as a place to worship God. Unfortunately, it is difficult to envision such a place after simply reading the dimensions. ( I am sure that the task is even more difficult when it is being spoken to you, as was the case when God presented the plan to Moses). A search on the Internet provided images that help me envision this grand place of worship for God's chosen people. Below are pictures and links that have helped me understand how God's directions to His people looked following construction of the Tabernacle. God is truly AWESOME!

Tabernacle links:

http://www.domini.org/tabern/tabhome.htm

http://www.bibleplaces.com/tabernacle.htm

http://study.africanministries.com/resources/1.html

Walking in the Word

Now that I have been reading the Word on a daily basis, I have found that I am reminded daily of God's presence in my life. I am working on becoming more obedient to God and less obedient to my flesh. I realize my desire to please God but struggle with my temptations. The Word fortifies me but each day is filled with tempting thoughts, tempting choices, and the need to resist the Enemy. Though my daily reading is not in the book of James, my previous reading helps me remember that the book of James admonishes us to:

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Sometimes, he will flee only to return later in another form or with more temptation(s). For this reason, the walk with God MUST include a walk in God's Word. The Word must live in our hearts if it is to be effective. I try daily to not just remember God's Word but to apply it at every opportune moment in my life. I hope and pray that this is pleasing to the Lord, my God.

A Renewed Walk with God!

Now that I have found a church in Chicago that I like, I have a renewed hunger for the Word. Reading the One-Year Bible has really helped me discipline myself to read God's Word on a daily basis. I am finally able to read the Old Testament because of how the Bible is laid out. I actually look forward to reading the Old Testament and no longer view it as an outdated history lesson. I am reading about how Moses led the Isrealites out of Egypt and into the promised land.

I have begun to realize why some people view God as a spirit to be feared rather than loved. In God's directions to the Isrealites, He repeatedly warns them that if they do not follow His commandments, they would meet an untimely death. It seems that in spite of what God had provided to them in the wilderness, the Isrealites continued to murmur and not fully appreciate God. I assume that God did not mind if they worhipped Him out of fear, just as long as they worhipped Him!

Thankfully, I know that we are no longer bound by the Mosaic laws. God wants us to love AND fear Him but mainly to follow His commandments willingly. I have felt God's warm love and seen His mighty works in my life. I am assured that God loves me every day. God continues to provide me with more than I have earned. His mercy is great and His love is enduring. Please continue to walk with me, love me, and be patient as I embark down a renewed path of life's experiences. God--I love you!