Numbers 26-29; Acts 21

Sacrifice always held a punitive meaning to me, until recently. I used to think it required suffering or mournful loss. Maybe that was because what was forfeited may have held worth or desire. But my view of it changed when posed a question about what I was willing to sacrifice for something I valued.

What would I sacrifice for: my health, my faith, my family? Was it really a sacrifice to give up junk food so that my body would stop being slammed with inflammation and sugar surges? Was it really a loss to say no to an event that cost me time and focus with the people I’m called to care for and who I love so much under my roof? Was it a hardship to turn away from media sources that promote dissension, perversion, and hatred? How did comfort foods, pressures and pop culture ever gain worth or desire in the first place?

In Numbers, there are stipulations of what an offering to the Lord looks like, by quality, frequency, and measurement.

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.’

Numbers 28:1, ESV

When finer things were offered up to the Lord, how does a cheap muffin even qualify for a sacrifice?

Paul demonstrates how to live life as an offering.

¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Acts 21:10-14, ESV

He was willing to face imprisonment or even death for the name of the Lord.

Lord, you have given me time, ability, treasure, heart, and health to steward. My view of these things is clearer in light of these Scriptures–an offering of value and intention in the giving–for you, who I value most. It is all yours to begin with. If from these things I present an offering to you, please help me to be intentional to honor and glorify you with my life.

Courtney (66books365)

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Numbers 15-18; Acts 18; Ps.90

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. “When you finally settle in the land I am giving you, you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.” Numbers 15:1-3 NLT

Lord, I desire to offer my life to you in worship. “Let it rise like incense, my whole life a fragrance. Every ounce here broken at Your feet. Every breath an offering. My heart cries, these lungs sing over You. My worthy King of Kings.” -Alabaster Heart, Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal.

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:9-11 NLT

I went to a Wednesday night service at my church. There was a simplicity to it that drew me in. I sat and listened to God. And I realized how distracted I have been lately. I pray that I stay quiet enough to hear your voice. I pray for more boldness & courage. I am thankful for examples like Paul. Thank you that You are still speaking Lord.

“Lord. you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you have formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1&2 ESV

Dear Father, Help me to order my days to seek after you. To do what you have called me to do. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let the favor of the Lord God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12-17 ESV

Amy(amyctanner)

Deuteronomy 16:9-19:21

”When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example , never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let people practice fortune telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God” Deut. 18:9-13 NLT

The Israelites had ungodly practices to face in the Promised Land. The evil was surrounding them, but God was there with them. I can’t help but to think about how this is just as prevalent in the world today. It seems like Satan has a stronghold, but Jesus has the ultimate victory.

What am I letting into my life that isn’t pleasing to God?

“Then anyone who has killed someone can flee to one of the cities of refuge for safety. If someone kills another person unintentIonally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to anyone of these cities to live in safety. That is why I am asking you to set aside the cities of refuge. And if the Lord your God enlarges your territory , as he swore to your ancestors , and gives them all the land he promised them, you must designate three additional cities of refuge. (He will give you this land if you are careful to obey all the commands I have given you-if you always love the Lord your God and walk in his ways.)” Deut. 19:3-9 NLT

God gave the innocent a place to flee. He was showing His mercy towards His people. I am reminded that He always makes a way when there seems to be no way. I can run to Him when my world seems crazy. He gives me a place of safety. He is my place to hide. His presence is always with me.

Thank you Father for going before me. For your provision and faithfulness. You are my refuge. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Leviticus 5-7

“These are the instructions for the guilt offering. It must be holy…The same instructions apply to both the guilt offering and the sin offering. Both belong to the priest who uses them to purify someone, making that person right with the Lord. In the case of the burnt offering, the priest may keep the hide of the sacrificed animal. These are the instructions for the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering, as well as the ordination offering and the peace offering. The Lord gave these instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai when he commanded the Israelites to present their offerings to the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai.” Leviticus 7:7-8,37&38 NLT

Sometimes I can dismiss verses like this, and think they don’t apply to me. After all, these instructions were for the Israelites. But, from what I’ve learned I am so similar to them. The Israelites were performing the rituals more out of habit and they lost meaning. When have I done the same thing?

What am I offering to God? What am I sacrificing so that I can be closer to Him & get to know Him better?

“Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on it. He will then burn the fat of the peace offerings on it. Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.” Leviticus 6:12&13 NLT

The Holy Spirit is God’s fire inside of me. Am I squelching His presence in my life? Or am I asking Him to guide and change me?

Dear Jesus, thank you for making the way to come to you as I am. For being the ultimate sacrifice for my sins. I want to know You more. I want to have an eternal perspective. Forgive me for when I turn to lesser things, instead of You. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Numbers 28; Psalms 72; Isaiah 19,20; 2 Peter 1

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:5-8 NLT

I typed the word Resilience on my notes app. It’s the name of a paint that I didn’t want to forget.  I see it whenever I look over my grocery list.  But, God has a sense of humor, because it started taking on a deeper meaning.  When I look at it now,  it was a word from God spoken into my soul.  “The ability to recover from or adjust easily to change” (Webster’s).  Patient Endurance. I think he had me write it down, because he knew I would need to remember it in this season of  life.  At times, when I am worn out and feel like giving up, to keep moving forward.  Just like in 2nd Peter, I need to continue to strengthen my faith.  Ask for God’s help, instead of trying to do it on my own

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for Living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who has called us to himself by means of is marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-5 NLT 

Sometimes I can get so caught up in my own needs, that I’m not reaching out to others with God’s love.  He has been telling me that he will take care of me. That I have his favor.  Am I trusting him enough to reach out to others?  “It’s more fun this way-dreaming of how you can bless others, than how you can win” (Jennie Allen).  I pray for a heart of generosity.

“May the mountains yield prosperity for all, and may the hills be fruitfuil.  Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors.  May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky.  Yes, forever!  May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass, like the showers that water the earth.  May all the godly flourish during his reign.  May there be abundant prosperity unitl the moon is no more.” Psalms 72:3-7 NLT

Dear Father, thank you that you speak to me in all kinds of ways. Help me to be listening.  Thank you for giving me strength when I am weary.  Thank you that you refresh my soul through your word. Amen.  

Amy(amyctanner)