God is the audience...

Our Daily Bread
I never understood something until I read the devotional and scripture today.  I never understood the animal sacrifice requirement in the Old Testament.  That carries forward into the sacrifice of the Lamb in the New Testament.  Why did Jesus have to bleed and die for our sacrifice?  I understand a little more now.  Here is what I learned.

God gave detailed instructions on animal sacrifice.  In essence, he wanted the obedience of the Hebrews, not really the sacrifices.  He wanted the honest obedience and repentance from sin so they could have relationship with him.  In Psalm 50, God says he doesn't need their animals.  Psalm 50:14 says:  "Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High."

This brings us to the main topic of the devotional -- worship.  Is worship aimed at us or aimed at God?  It is supposed to be our worship leaders leading us in worshiping towards God.  Worship is not entertainment for us.  It is not a Broadway show that plays once a week!  hehehe

Think of this the next time you attend church!  I know I will!

Lord, I want to focus the worship on you, not on anyone else!

Psalm Sunday
This is one of the "fear" psalms!  Wow!  I learn more about how God used the Hebrew people to accomplish and demonstrate his work in their history.  This psalm is a perfect example of how God required all nations to honor and obey him.


Psalm 2 (New Living Translation)

 1 Why are the nations so angry?
      Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
      the rulers plot together
   against the Lord
      and against his anointed one.
 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
      “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
      The Lord scoffs at them.
 5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
      terrifying them with his fierce fury.
 6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
      in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”

 7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
   “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.[b]
      Today I have become your Father.[c]
 8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
      the whole earth as your possession.
 9 You will break[d] them with an iron rod
      and smash them like clay pots.’”

 10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
      Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
 11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
      and rejoice with trembling.
 12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
      and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
   for his anger flares up in an instant.
      But what joy for all who take refuge in him!


Other Stuff
My eye is doing OK today.  The vision is not improving as fast as what I want.  I will do my best to be patient.  I am not the best at being patient!  DOH!

We had a nice worship service and CGLF luncheon today at King Avenue.  I got to see some friends that I don't get to talk to very often.  Woohoooo!

Back to work tomorrow.  It will take me a whole day to get through my emails!  OH well.

Hang in there, my friends!  I will be upbeat and steady.  That is what I do...