Devoted Person – Leviticus 27:28

Leviticus 27:28

28"But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD.


Reflection:


Things or persons devoted to the Lord are distinguished from things or persons that were only sanctified. Devoted things were most holy in the eyes of the Lord God and could neither be taken back nor applied to other purposes. Whatever productions they had the benefit, God must be honored with the tenth of, if it could be applied. Thus they acknowledge God to be the Owner of their land, the Giver of its fruits, and themselves to be his tenants, and dependent to him. Thus they gave him thanks for the plenty they enjoyed, and besought his favor in the continuance of it. We are taught to honor the Lord with our substance. (Le 27:34).
God spoke to me today that as his son I must be devoted to Him. He told me to set apart for him my time, resources, talents and everything I have. He reminded me also that being devoted to him I should also consecrate myself from the things that can contaminate my mind, body and spirit. Most of all He reminded me to Love Him and obey His commands.

The Sabbath Year - Leviticus 25:1-7

1 The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. 3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. 6 Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, and the hired worker and temporary resident who live among you, 7 as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.

REFLECTION:

All labour was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labour on the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for a man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use our possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual rest which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are eased of the burden of wordly care and labour, both being sanctified and sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.

The Skilled Craftsmen - Exodus 31:1-4 (NIV)

1(A)Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2"See, I have called by name Bezalel, the (B)son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.
3"I have (C)filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
4to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze.



Reflection:


I realized in this passage that doing the work for God is an easy thing. It is the easiest way to do. Why? because God has already given us everything we need. When God will call us for His work, He will provide us with favor and anointing. The Holy Spirit also will guide and teach us everything we do. In this passage we can see Bezalel the son of Uri, he is also a man like us but God used him. In the twinkle of an eye God filled Bezalel with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze.


Many times I under estimate the power of God and always rely on my own strength and understanding. God reveal to me today that when He is going to use me He will also provide everything I need. All I have to do is to trust Him. All I have to do is to empty my cup and let the anointing of God flow in me from head to foot. I now resolved in my heart that I can do everything through Christ which strengthened me and in Him everything is possible. How about you? How are you going to respond God’s revelation for you today?

Unlawful Sexual Relations - Leviticus 18

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'I am the LORD your God. 3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. 4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. 5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.

6 " 'No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.

7 " 'Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

8 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would dishonor your father.

9 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

10 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would dishonor you.

11 " 'Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father; she is your sister.

12 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.

13 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.

14 " 'Do not dishonor your father's brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.

15 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; do not have relations with her.

16 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonor your brother.

17 " 'Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.

18 " 'Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.

19 " 'Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.

20 " 'Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and defile yourself with her.

21 " 'Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed [a] to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

22 " 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

23 " 'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.

24 " 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

29 " 'Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. 30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.'


Reflection:

In this passage we can see the law against all conformity to the corrupt usages of the heathen. Also God reminds us the laws against incest, against brutal lusts, and barbarous idolatries; and the enforcement of these laws from the ruin of the Canaanites. God here provides us moral precepts. The sad thing nowadays is that our modern culture often refuses to see any aspect of sexual conduct as defiling. People only consider immediate pleasure, not right or wrong. But sexual sin does defile us and it does harm us. God’s laws are given for our best, not in an attempt to merely test us or boss us around.

The reality is when a nation fall down into perversions like homosexuality, its decline accelerates, its fibers weaken, and it becomes ripe for disaster, either natural or political/military. If the leadership of that nation participates in these perversions, the immorality spreads like a cancer among the people, accelerating the collapse. The leaders, already perverted personally, make immoral and unwise decisions regarding the nation's direction and conditions grow worse (Romans 1:26-32; II Timothy 3:13).

Who is Jesus?

John 1:1-14 NIV

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection:

Who is Jesus for me?

1. Jesus as the Logos or the Word (v1-3)

2. Jesus as the Light (v4-9)

3. Jesus as One who came in the flesh (v14)


What God wants you to do?


Let Him come into your life today

Reason for Trust

John 14 NIV

Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.


Jesus is a sensitive listener to our worries and questions. His invitation to trust God and in Himself gives us good reason for such confidences.

Reflection:

What makes your heart troubled? Bring your worries to the Lord again today.

What to do:

Invite somebody who has a troubled heart to claim their place in the Father's house; to follow Jesus' way; to see Jesus as the human face of God.

A Call to a Blessed Life

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.


Three things we will learn from this passage:


1. The way of the Righteous - verse 1-3

2. The way of the Wicked - verse 4-5

3. The way of God - verse 6


THINK:

If you are to experience God's favor and be counted as "blessed", what do you need to do? How is your attitude toward God and His Word?



marcans007

Passage for the Day

Joshua 3

Crossing the Jordan

¹ Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. ² After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³ giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴ Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."

⁵ Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

⁶ Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them.

⁷ And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. ⁸ Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: 'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.' "

⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. ¹² Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³ And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD -the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."

¹⁴ So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. ¹⁵ Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, ¹⁶ the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah the Salt Sea - was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. ¹⁷ The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

My Spiritual Journey

God is so great. He is the God yesterday, today and forever. Until now He is doing extra ordinary things in the lives of His children. I can personally testify God's goodness. As a servant of God, I've started doing ministry two years after I've got saved. Way back 2004. Wow! doing this thing makes me happy. It requires extra time and effort but it makes me satisfied and makes my day complete. Right now I am having my ministry at DMMA Campus - Davao Merchant Marine Academy. I started ministering to the students of this campus four years ago with the working students. I have a great time with them. Teaching them the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. Until some of them finished their studies and become professional seaman. I loved watching them growing in the knowledge and will of God. Until such time the administrators of the school allow us to minister the DMMA Scholars. With the help of some of the leaders of the Lakas-Angkan Ministry Church we were able to minister every willing student and scholar of the campus. We have a great time with them every Saturday afternoon for the 3rd and 4th class and every friday evening for the 1st class cadets.

Today, the number of disciples in DMMA grew up.

I Pray to God always that He will put favor on us as we do his will.


Brother in Christ,


Bro. Marvin



Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."