Exodus 30-Leviticus 10

I want to thank our friends for their prayers.  The death of my brother in law as tough for my wife, but God's grace has certainly been manifested, and we thank you for your concern. Thank you for all you have done!   There are so many truths found in Exodus and then I read in Leviticus the first ten chapters. Here are a few of those thoughts I wrote down this morning: 1) SPIRIT-FILLED BUSINESS MEN- In Exodus 31:3, it says:  "And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."  God filled men and women with His Spirit to create beautiful things for the Tabernacle.  This chapter will describe all of the wonderful things created by these men and women.  Oh how today, our churches need Spirit-Filled Business men and women who have a passion for God!  Their efforts, blessed of God, will be used to build great ministries for God's glory.  Pastors preach and teach, but laymen build buildings, ministries, colleges, schools, etc.  all for God's glory.  They follow a man of God's ministry,and being blessed of God are able to give abundantly to see that ministry flourish! Dear Lord in Heaven, please give us more such minded men and women across this nation! Amen. 2) THE SABBATH--A SIGN- The Sabbath was Israel's day of rest.  God gave it to them and it is also one of the ten commandments.  It is called in Exodus 31 a sign to the nation of Israel.  Here are the verses:  vs. 13- "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep:  for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."   vs. 17- "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever:  for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed."  These verses tell us plainly that the Sabbath was meant to be a sign to the nation of Israel, not to the Gentiles. We worship on Sunday, because that is the day that Jesus Christ arose from the tomb. Jesus set the day we worship, not ourselves!  3) TO KNOW GOD- There is no loftier goal in life than to know God personally!  Moses said this in Exodus 33:13 "now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in they sight:  and consider that this nation is thy people."  Paul stated the same basic thing in Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"  To know the LORD personally!  What a privilege we have each and every day as a believer.  Let us never take it for granted. 4) GOD'S WAY WORKS!  In Leviticus 6: 1-7, it deals with the sin of theft.  If someone steals from his neighbor or lies about something to take advantage of him, the Bible says that the thief is to restore what was taken and add 20% more (the fifth part more) to it.  Now wouldn't that setting stealing?  God doesn't say, "cut off his hand", "put him in prison"; No, God says:  Let him restore the goods and then 20% more.  Here is how it would work.  Someone steals from you.... he is found, your goods are restored or the value of the goods, and then you go through his stuff until you have increased your value stolen by 20% more!  Now that is a great deterrent to stealing!  If he stole out of hunger, then you have the option to decide what to do, but the goal is that it cost more to steal than to be honest.  Wow, God... Your way works! Have a wonderful day today!  See you in Church!  Pastor Mike Mutchler