Friday, October 14, 2016

CONTINUALLY

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 24

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

A rebuilt olive press from Bible times. This was discovered amidst the ruins of Hazor, about 10 kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee. Hazor is mentioned in several Old Testament books such as Joshua and Judges.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.

 

The word “continually” is repeated four times here. The emphasis is obvious. Oil is a symbol for the Spirit of God, as is fire which produces light. By this light we see the Show-bread on the table and the Altar of Incense, both of which are in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle (see extra photos below). To keep God’s Light shining brightly in our lives, we must have a daily fresh supply of Oil. This can only be experienced by a fresh daily life of prayer, the source of the Oil, and the study of Holy Scripture, the Bread. Our praise and worship in the midst of our prayer and study is like the Altar of Incense, a sweet fragrance ascending to God.

The man taken in blasphemy is punished by death. Jesus died in our place, so that we, like the thief who hung beside Jesus and repented, could be forgiven and have eternal life. Thank God for the age of grace, which Jesus began. We rely continually upon that grace. I remember some sermons which my Dad preached. One was on 1 John 1:1-10. Click on it and read with me. Dad particularly pointed out that, in the original Greek, the verb “cleanses” is in a tense meaning the cleansing is continually happening, non-stop. Dad taught Greek and this truth burned its way into my understanding.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as the Apostle John wrote, I can never claim to be sinless. I’m totally dependent on the continuous cleansing in the Blood of Your Sacrifice. May I ever be conscious of my sin, and may I hide Your Word in my heart continually “that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Through the grace Jesus gives, I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I also remember that after school one day, when I was 10 or 11, I walked into a classroom at Annesley College in Ottawa and watched my Dad write the Greek lesson for the next morning on the blackboard. I knew that the original language in which the New Testament was written was Greek, and, therefore, an understanding of Greek was important. When I attended Bible College, I signed up for two years of Greek study. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much. The reason? I rely on a lexicon (like this online version here) which enables me to work in English and find all the shades of meaning from the Greek. One day, on live national television, I was being translated into Greek by the Host of our Greek language TV series, and I mentioned the word “cartoon.” I was amazed to hear my interpreter, Bazil Zetas, say, “Mickey Mouse.” It stopped me in my tracks. I turned to him and said, “Did you just say Mickey Mouse?” “Yes,” he said, “That’s Greek for cartoon.” We had a good laugh. Bazil arranged for Reynold’s photographic trip through Greece, so that when our readings speak of Greece, beginning in January, we’ll have some great pictures on the blog for you.

Yours for light as we eat of the Bread of God’s Word, and as we offer the incense of prayer and worship,

David

P.S. Below are pictures from the replica of the Tabernacle which was on display at the Crossroads Centre during the Summer of 2012.

The High Priest in front of the Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place, where fresh daily oil kept the light burning continually.

The High Priest performing his duties in the Tabernacle. Pictured are the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Ark of the Covenant.

9 thoughts on “Friday, October 14, 2016

  1. Excellent message, this morning, David. It’s wonderful to think of God at the root of all things. Such simple pleasures of baking bread and dipping it in olive oil as to eat in remembrance of our great Yahweh. And yet, it’s heart-breaking to think that stoning still takes place in Middle Eastern parts of the world, in most cases against women. We thank You, God, for being our rock to lean on in times of trouble. Blessings fellow saints in the Lord.

    They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
    Rev 12:11 BSB

    The Lamb Has Overcome
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgQwqxu3Alc

    • Amen Beverlee! …thanks also for the link ..I scrolled down and clicked on “Jesus Paid it All” Yes He did!!! Praise His Holy Name!!

  2. Thank God for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin, offered once and for all. Thank you for your good teaching Pastor David.

  3. Wisdom From Oswald Chambers

    “‘When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?’ We all have faith in good principles, in good management, in good common sense, but who amongst us has faith in Jesus Christ? Physical courage is grand, moral courage is grander, but the man who trusts Jesus Christ in the face of the terrific problems of life is worth a whole crowd of heroes.”

    The Highest Good, 544 R

  4. “Oh the Blood of Jesus, Precious Blood of Jesus, Oh the Blood of Jesus, It washes white as snow”!!!

    A powerful prayer Pastor David…I prayed it with you!!

    “Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me, Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me; melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me”!

  5. way too funny! Mickey Mouse is Greek for cartoon!
    Irene we pray that your sister will get the proper medical treatment for her issue,please let us know how she is doing!
    Please continue to pray for me! Desperately needing financial breakthrough! in Jesus Name we Pray AMEN

    • Father in Heaven in the Name of Jesus I pray and agree with Sah, that her financial need be met according to Your riches in Glory.
      Your word tells us that If we as anything according to Your Will, in the Name of Jesus, it will be given us. Jesus I ask for your financial provision for Sah, according to Your riches in Glory.

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