Tag: Sacrifice

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

Mary of Bethany, Part 2

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Adapted from She, Volume 1, p 41-42

Read: Mark 14:1-9

 Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of costly aromatic oil from pure nard. … 8After breaking open the jar, she poured it on his head.She did what she could. She anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Mark 14:3, 8-9

For at least the second time, possibly the third (Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8), a woman anoints Jesus with perfume. At the home of Simon the Leper, an unidentified woman anoints Jesus’ head on the day the Passover lambs are being anointed (Mark 14:3–9). Jesus praises her gracious act of worship that prepares Him for His burial the next afternoon. (bible ref.com)

Hey friends, if you read the previous post, you may think I’m repeating myself with this one as we continue to focus on a time when Jesus was anointed with perfume shortly before His sacrificial death and burial. While this post, in part, is repetitious as its focus is, again, on a woman anointing Jesus with oil, there are notable differences. The two that stand out to me are 1)the woman is not named (though, with good reason, she is still believed to be Mary of Bethany) and 2)she anoints his head rather than his feet (John 12:1–8). However, today we zero in on the truth and encouragement that she did what she could (v8).

Mary of Bethany considers worldly losses or gains nonsense compared to the spiritual treasure of having Jesus

Bibleref.com/Mark 14:8

As Bibleref.com points out, “Jesus often warns His followers to count the cost of following Him. ” While the disciples “are more interested in what they can gain (Mark 9:33-38; 10;35-41), Mary of Bethany considers worldly losses or gains nonsense compared to the spiritual treasure of having Jesus (Philippians 3:8).” Remember, this is the same Mary, who had upset her sister Martha by choosing to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him instead of helping her with the duties of hospitality (Luke 10:38–42).

Jesus tells the disciples who question/criticize her actions to “Leave her alone”. He doesn’t stop there, though. He goes on to teach an important lesson for all of us, saying, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a good service for me. 7 For you will always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want. But you will not always have me! 8 She did what she could. She anointed my body beforehand for burial.“

Friends, I don’t know about you, but this one “stepped on my toes”, as I realized this isn’t just a lesson for the disciples of Jesus’ day but for all of His disciples. We are all to have this mindset, putting Him before our desires and above the cultural norm, living for Him, serving Him, sharing Him pleasing Him, loving Him and others as He has loved us … dying to self.

Mary did what she did, not so that others would remember her but to glorify and honor her Lord and master. Yet, to this day, just as Jesus said, she is still remembered for what she did. Which begs us to ask ourselves:

What will you be remembered for?

Mary gave what she had, and Jesus used her and her gift to point others to Him and what is important to His cause. The truth is, we do not glorify God or bring others to Jesus through pious acts or great knowledge and wealth. We bring others to Jesus through our worship of God, humility, humble acts of kindness, love, and obedience. When we honor the true and living God with our lives, others will see Jesus and have the opportunity to know Him.

We all have something to give

Our time
Our talents
Our service

She, Volume 1/p42

I believe that we are wise to remember – God doesn’t desire or need our wealth or wisdom; nor is He looking for outward beauty. His desire is our hearts, given and poured out for Him, our lives a testimony of His love and work on our behalf.

Reflection/Application
  • What is it that you can give?
  • How does Mary of Bethany’s sacrifice and service inspire you?
  • What do you hope to be remembered for?
Response of Worship

1 Living for Jesus a life that is true,
striving to please Him in all that I do,
yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
this is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee;
for Thou, in Thine attonement,
didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master;
my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.

2 Living for Jesus, who died in my place,
bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace-
such love constrains me to answer His call,
follow His leading, and give Him my all. [Refrain]

3 Living for Jesus wherever I am,
doing each duty in His holy name,
willing to suffer affliction or loss,
deeming each trial a part of my cross! [Refrain]

4 Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
my dearest treasure, the light of His smile,
seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
bringing the weary to find rest in Him! [Refrain]

Source: Our Great Redeemer’s Praise #595

The More We Know
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

The Power of the Blood

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based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w3d2

Read: Ex 12:1-13; SOAP: Ex 12:13 / (for further reading Ex. 7:1-7)

The First Passover

12 While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: 2 â€śFrom now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. 3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. 4 If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. 5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.

6 â€śTake special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. 8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire. 10 Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.

11 â€śThese are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover. 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:1-15

Praise God, this side of the cross, we do not have to literally paint blood over the door frames of our home. We do not have to find a spotless lamb and go through all of the steps required of our ancestors. Why? Because our lamb was provided by God from Heaven, He gave His life on a sinner’s cross that was meant for us, and now He dwells in us through the Spirit we received from God. Jesus Christ is the spotless Lamb who takes away the sins of the world1, and His righteousness has been placed on all who have, by faith, believed in Him, the risen Lamb of God! It is by His blood and righteousness that the wrath of God passes over us.2

Friends, are you covered with the soul cleansing blood of the Passover Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

The More We Know

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet. 2 Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. 3 But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. 5 When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

6 So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:1-7

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Friend, if you have never put your faith in Jesus, you are in danger, for only those who are covered in the blood of the lamb will be spared from the wrath of God. I would love to introduce you to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Please visit the Know These Truths link below to learn more about the Lamb of God, whose blood can save your soul.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study

A Beautiful Love Story ~ of Faith and Provision

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Based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w2d3

Read: Genesis 22:1-14; SOAP verse 13

1Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. ‘Abraham!’ God called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’

2Take your son, your only son — yes, Isaac, whom you love so much — and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.’

3The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. 4On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5Stay here with the donkey,’ Abraham told the servants. ‘The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.’

6So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,

7Isaac turned to Abraham and said, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘We have the fire and the wood,’ the boy said, ‘but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?’

8God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,’ Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

9When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

11At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Yes,’ Abraham replied. ‘Here I am!’

12Don’t lay a hand on the boy!’ the angel said. ‘Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.’

13Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the Lord will provide’). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’

Genesis 22:1-14 NLT or KJV

What a beautiful love story of faith and provision we see in Abraham’s life and his ongoing encounters with God.

Abraham had placed his faith in God many years before this experience. He had remained in, and even grown in, his habit of listening for and responding to God obediently. Because of this, when the call came for Abraham to sacrifice his son – the son God had promised him – the son through whom the ‘rescuer’ would come -the son through whom would come a great nation and make the name of Abraham great … he did not hesitate to answer obediently, despite what it meant. Keep in mind, Abraham’s obedience wasn’t because he knew the exact outcome; he obeyed because he loved God more than family and self, and because he knew he could trust Him.

Abraham had not forgotten God’s promises. He had even seen some fulfilled, and he lived and hoped accordingly.

Me from the Inside~out🦋

Friends, throughout the six decades of my life, I have seen the hand of God. I have known His goodness, seen His protection, been blessed by His provision, been comforted by His compassion, experienced the realities of His promises, and in both the chaos and fear of anxious-filled moments or the unsettled stillness of a long night, I have heard His ‘still small voice’. Each event has drawn me closer to Him and helped (even caused) me to trust Him more. Don’t get me wrong, doubts and fears still arise – like when I can’t see a way out of a problem, or a health crisis arises; and I’m still prone to drag my feet when He leads in a direction out of my comfort zone… but this one thing I know, like Abraham, I may not know the exact outcome of any situation, but I know I can trust in the name of the Lord my God.

My prayer for you, dear readers, is that you will remember how He has shown Himself to you. I pray you will watch for Him daily and listen for His still small voice. May we, like Abraham, respond to His call, whatever it may be, with obedience, trusting that God is in complete and perfect control.

The More We Know

Consider these words of encouragement from today’s LGG Journal entry:

“While God never again asked anyone to kill their child, He was willing to sacrifice His very own Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue and redeem humanity from their sin. He gave of His very self, perfectly paying the price we deserve.

Do you trust God to the point that you’d be willing to give up everything, even the things you value most? As God did not hold anything back for us, we, too, are to be willing to give everything to Him.”

LGG Journal/From the Beginning to Forever, p77

Do you know the God of Abraham? I invite you to read, Know These Truths, at the link below.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Sanctification

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For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use. 

based on the Love God Greatly Study, Firm Foundation, w5d2

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8(SOAP vs 3); Hebrews 10:14-18 (SOAP vs 10)

God’s will is for you to be holy(sanctified-KJV), so stay away from all sexual sin. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3

 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy(sanctified-KJV).

Hebrews 10:14
Observations from the Journey

Because today’s passages focus on the believer being holy/sanctified, let us understand holiness/sanctification as God’s Word defines it. To be holy/sanctified is to be set apart for God (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15). Yesterday’s journey revealed or reminded us that we can not be made right with God (declared righteous) apart from faith in Jesus Christ. The same is true of God’s call for believers to be holy/sanctified – it is not possible apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

It is helpful to start with the passage from Hebrews and the message about the “one offering” perfecting – those who are “made holy.” Remember, it used to be animal sacrifices repeated again and again that would temporarily cover the sins of the people.1 However, the blood of the animal never truly removed the sin. But God, in His loving mercy, made a way! Through the blood of Jesus, the sacrificial system was made complete. For the perfect, spotless blood of Jesus is sufficient to wipe away sins – not just temporarily but forever! Hallelujah and amen!

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Oh precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow –
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Application: Living Out the Journey

When Paul closes out his instructions to the Thessalonians, he reminds them that God’s will is for them, as believers, to be sanctified, meaning to be “set apart for a special use2.” The example he gives with this instruction is for them to stay away from “sexual immorality,” a sin that undoubtedly was rampant in Thessalonica, a pagan culture steeped in sexual sin. However, we know from the totality of Scripture that sin of any kind, accepted or unaccepted by the culture we live in, is wrong and unacceptable in the eyes of our Holy God. To be set apart for God requires the believer to “keep away.” as Paul wrote, from all sins. Should we find ourselves wanting to make excuses for certain sins – let us understand that John explained sin to be anything that is contrary to God’s Word,3 and Paul was clear that the wages of sin is death,4 but he finished that statement with the clear and present promise that the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus – the perfected – solitary and all-sufficient offering – the spotless, sinless, Son of God – through whom (by faith) we are made holy and acceptable in God’s sight! – All glory and praise to God!

To be sanctified is to be “set apart.” Synonyms for sanctified are holy, consecrated, and hallowed. The Bible speaks of things being “sanctified,” such as Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23) and gifts to the temple (Matthew 23:17); days, such as the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8); names, such as God’s (Matthew 6:9); and people, such as the Israelites (Leviticus 20:7–8) and Christians (Ephesians 5:26).

Gotquestions.org
Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost – Thank You that through You I am made holy and set apart for You. Thank You for the reminder to walk faithfully in Your ways and stay away from all sin. Thank You for the blood that washed away my sins, the indwelling of Your Spirit that alerts me to sin and temptations and empowers me to turn away from them – even showing me the way of escape, as Paul wrote.5 Thank You, God, for the one offering that has perfected for all time those who are made holy, and for putting Your laws on my heart and inscribing them on my mind and remembering my sins against me no more! – I am most blessed and forever grateful! đź’ś

The More We Know

For a thing to be sanctified means it is set apart for a special use. 

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

The Weight of Sin

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Lent – A Season of Drawing Close to God / w5d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: Psalm 30; SOAP verses 2-3

O Lord my God,
I cried out to you and you healed me.
3 O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol;
you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.

Psalm 30:2-3 NET

Sheol (in verse 3) is a place from which there is no escape. The gates are locked, the windows are barred, and the prison guard, death, is undefeatable …
unidentified google search

I hope you read the whole Psalm, for David’s words are moving and enlightening, and they give insight into the depth of his soul, his reflection on the weight and significance of his sin, and his great need for God. They also paint a beautiful awareness of who God is, what He can do, and what He has done. We are wise to pay attention to them and to pattern our reflections and prayers in such a manner.

This particular Psalm is one of dedication of the temple – or according to bibleref.com – most likely the ground where the temple would be built. It is not a private prayer between David and God but rather a Psalm that was for the people to hear and respond to.

Note:

  • David realized not only the depth of God’s goodness but his own depth of need for God to rescue him and to spare him what he deserved and he cried out to God according to his knowledge/belief.
  • Not only does David praise God but he calls all followers of God to give thanks
  • The praise is a life-long practice of the one who turns to God and who realizes His immense goodness and power.

David obviously understood the ‘But God principle” – which says despite the odds of any given situation, despite the reality of what I deserve, despite where I am or what I have done or any obstacles that are in my way- GOD can defy the odds, change the reality, and overcome the seemingly inevitable! mefromthensideout 🦋

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

We must take time daily to reflect on the weight and significance of our sin to truly appreciate the gravity of who God is and what He has done and promised to do. If we do not understand the danger and weight of sin we will not seek God’s forgiveness nor see the need for repentance. Likewise, if we do not understand the depth of God’s love and the height of His power we will not pray accordingly.

Because he turned from arrogance to humility, David was forgiven, and God turned his grief into joy. Rather than being trapped in misery and shame, David was able to embrace the joy of God’s forgiveness. For that, David intends to offer unending thanks

bibleref.com / Ps 30:8-12
PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank You for all the ways you rescued David and Your people. Thank You for the encouragement that this brings to us and for all the ways we have seen it in our own lives. We are blessed to be Your children and to know the greatness of Your goodness and the faithfulness of Your character. Help us to daily reflect on the weight and significance of our sin – now as we prepare for Easter – and always, so that we do not fail to remember the greatness of Your love and sacrifice on our behalf. If there are those reading this Father, who do not understand the immensity of Your goodness and the depth of their sin and need for Your salvation open their minds to understand that their hearts might yield to the promise of new life through faith in Christ Jesus, who sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. There is no hope of life apart from You and there is no sin too great for Your grace and mercy to cover. We pray and praise You in Jesus’ mighty name and power – Amen and hallelujah!

THE MORE WE KNOW

Insight to Psalm chapter 30

Be sure and check out today’s today’s LGG Blog for more insight

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, The Promised Messiah, Uncategorized

So Great A Love

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read: Matthew 8:14-17; John 9:1-7; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 / SOAP – Isaiah 53:3-6

He was despised and rejected—
    a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
    He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
    it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
    a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.

Isaiah 53:3-6

There are several passages to read to day but none very long and all of them examples of Christ taking the infirmities, griefs, weaknesses… sorrows, pains, and sufferings from others. It was an action born out of yielding to the Father’s will and of love for those He came to save, including us.

I would encourage you to read the verses out loud and slowly. Then read them again and replace the pronouns “we” and “our” with ‘I” and “my.” Let it soak in until you can taste and see the love and goodness of our God and Savior. This passage is a perfect demonstration of God’s love and faithfulness to us! It is the vividness of the depth and riches of His love as He poured out on Christ the wrath and punishment that so clearly belonged to us! Oh the grace and mercy we see played out in His Word when we pay attention, when we read, not just with our eyes, but with our mind and heart engaged in the unfolding love story. It is then we see that He didn’t suffer at His own doing but because all of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have chosen our own paths over God’s. We have turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. We’ve seen Him despised, and we have not cared. Yet, even still He willingly carried our weaknesses and was weighed down by our sorrows. His troubles were not a punishment from God or for His own sins but rather it was our sin and rebellion that caused Him to be wounded. As Isaiah wrote, “The Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.”

Oh the sweet deep love of Jesus who willing took our place and what great and faithful love our God continues to lavious on us without fail. I don’t think I will ever completely understand it, but oh what it does for my mind and soul to read these truths and others like them and to know the trustworthy and committed characters of our God and Savior. When we see them for who they are and what they’ve done our natural application of the Scriptures will be to respond in praise, worship, and prayer. – To the eternal glory of our God and King!

Going Further

The Suffering Servant: Is the “The Suffering Servant” prophecy in Isaiah 53 about Jesus?

Man-of-sorrows: https://www.gotquestions.org/man-of-sorrows.html

Despised and Rejected: https://www.gotquestions.org/despised-and-rejected.html

Bore our Griefs: https://www.gotquestions.org/surely-borne-griefs-carried-sorrows.html

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Beautifully Surrendered: Looking Ahead to Week 4

A Love God Greatly Bible Study about God’s Heart for His Daughters

In the coming week (week 4), we will look at what it means to be “Women of Surrender and Sacrifice”. We will build on knowing that God loves, sees, and cherishes women, and continue to focus on the fact that faith and prayer play a huge part in our surrender to God. With these things in mind we will understand and appreciate, perhaps more than we have before, how women like Esther, Moses’ mother, Mary – the mother of Jesus, and others all made the sacrifices required of them.

Our focus/memory verse is found in Luke 9:23 which is a very helpful description from Jesus to help us understand what we have to do to be a follower of Jesus. Like last week’s verse, this one is not incorporated into the study so , again, we will have to work extra hard to keep it fresh in our minds throughout the week. Don’t be surprised if you see it on the end of the daily posts. You’d be amazed at how seeing and/or reading something daily for five days helps us retain the message or truth posted.

This Week’s Challenge from the team at Love God Greatly:

As we have seen in the past three weeks, “Surrendering can be hard and yet beautiful at the same time. We see this in the lives of the women we will read about this week. Who in your life has modeled this well? Take time this week to encourage her with your words and let her know that her faithfulness has impacted your life. “

Posted in God is good, Prayer Starters

A Different High Priest

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Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the Son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. Hebrews 7:3 (NET)

Father, you are good! And in your goodness, You have given me a Great High Priest. – One who is not born of human descent but sent from heaven. One with no beginning or end – in the order of Melchizedek. One without Sin! One who not only offers a sacrifice on my behalf but who is my sacrifice. Whose Righteousness covers me. Whose peace and love fill me. And one after whom I am being transformed. There is much HOPE in Your goodness and in my Savior and High Priest – Jesus Christ! May His love and light shine brightly through me – today and every day.