In reading the books of Exodus and Leviticus lately I have been impressed by God's order and detail in his commands for the design and preparation of the tabernacle and the system of sacrifices and offerings. The dress for the priests was specified in detail and they were to be purified and sanctified to appear before him in the tabernacle or they risked death. Two of Aaron's sons disobeyed God and failed to follow his instructions and as a result fire came from God and consumed them (Lev 10:1-3). God required obedience with the sacrifices; only the very best, with no blemish, was acceptable.

We serve a mighty, awesome God who deserves our praise, worship, obedience, reverence and honor. We do not live under the Old Testament law, as a legalistic system of requirements (Rom 6:14) but as born-again Christians, we have a new spirit in relationship with God and his Spirit dwells in us (John 3:5-7; 14:16-17). As such, his life in us makes us want to walk in obedience to him (Rom 2:14-15). We are exhorted to do all things as unto God (Col 3:23). God looks at the heart (1Sam 16:7) and if our heart is right before him we will naturally want to walk in obedience, love and awesome fear and respect before him; giving God the honor he deserves.

If Jesus was coming to church next Sunday, in the flesh, as a visible person, how would we present ourselves? Would we be in church, would we be on time? Would we prepare our hearts beforehand and repent of any sin or unforgiveness? Would we be well prepared and carefully organized to honor him? Would we bring our best offering? Would we come to love and adore him from our hearts and hang onto his every word? Would we come in love and forgiveness towards others?

Jesus is in church, in us, every Sunday; let's give him the honor he deserves.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

With all Your Might.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might" (Eccl 9:10 KJV). How many employers would love to hire people who have this attitude; well if they hire Christians this is what they should see. As Christians we are to shine in all we do; people should see our good works and I believe that includes integrity in the work place (Matt 5:16). The Bible does say that if a man won't work he should not eat (be paid) (2 Thess 3:10).

Our verse from Ecclesiastes also applies to our Christian walk in general. We are to be lights to the world (Matt 5:16); Jesus told us to go and preach the gospel and make disciples all nations - that sounds like with all your might (Mark 16:15-18; Matt 28:18-20).

God is love (1 John 4:8) and his love has been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). We are called to love God with all our might and likewise our neighbors (Luke 10:27). But who is my neighbor the lawyer asked Jesus (Luke 10:25-37). Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan came to the aid of a wounded man from a nation that would have nothing to do with his own people. Jesus said you go and do the same.

In the early church the disciples showed love and care for each other with all their might (Acts 2:42-47). This is how our churches should be. Such love in action adorns the gospel of Jesus Christ and attracts people to Christ. (Titus 2:10)

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

As a teacher it was always a thrill when you would lecture and explain a concept and see the light go on for a student; they got it. At school myself, I sat through many classes of religious instruction but the lights never went on. I enjoyed the stories like David and Goliath but to me the Bible was like any other literature we read.

In the Bible we are told that the natural man cannot receive the things of God (1 Cor 2:14); in other words, they don`t get it, the lights do not go on. To receive a revelation or understanding of God`s life changing word, we must be born again spiritually and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit into our lives (1 Cor 2:6-14). In this wonderful passage we are told that God`s wisdom is a mystery to the non-Christian (v7-8) but has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit (v10).

Our spirit was made new when we were born again (John 3:3,5-7) and the Holy Spirit took up residence in us (John 14:16-17). As we prayerfully study our Bibles we are assured that the Holy Spirit is our teacher (1 Cor 2:13). The Holy Spirit brings the word alive or quickens the word to our understanding; we get it, the lights go on. We see like we have never seen before; our faith is strengthened (Rom 10:17) and we are changed to be and to have all that God has for us.

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Our God is a holy God and requires that we regard him as holy and glorify him (Lev 10:3). His priests were to be holy to God (Lev 21:6) and his people are called to be holy as he is holy (Lev 11:44).

The latter scripture is quoted by the apostle Peter in his first epistle (1 Peter 1:16). In verse 15 of that chapter he writes: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (KJV). We know that Jesus is holiness (Acts 3:14). In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul directs us to: "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".

Holiness should be a characteristic of the Christian or saint. It means to be set apart, sanctified, pure, clean. It is something we grow in as we allow the word to impact, convict and change us (Rom 12:2) and as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and develop his fruit or character (Gal 5:22-23).

God is holy and as we grow in holiness, we draw closer to him (James 4:7,8) allowing his life to flow through us. "Be holy; for I am holy" is a process, a journey, but a beautiful one.

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" (Isa 60:1; KJV). God's light brings his glory. The Hebrew word for glory used here is chabod which means heavy, splendor and magnificence among other things. We know that when the glory filled the temple or the tabernacle in the Old Testament, the ministers couldn't stand. That is because the glory of God is the presence of God.

Another interesting verse to do with light is Malachi 4:2, which says that: “the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings”. Obviously, the sun speaks of light but what a picture we have of Jesus with healing coming out of all the sunbeams.

In the New Testament we can find many references to light as Jesus calls himself: “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and he encourages us to walk in the light. I find Ephesians 5:9 very interesting; it says that: the “fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth". In that verse many Bible translators use light instead of Spirit.

The more time we spend in the "light" (God's presence and his word) the more these qualities will be formed in us.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com