Daily Dose 3-6-11

Numbers 6:22-26 The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “‘“The LORD bless you and keep you; 
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

The language from the Word is so beautiful. No one really talks this way anymore. We are working so hard to keep up in such a fast-paced world that we forget what living among each other is like. When we stop long enough to really look at the lives around us, we are sure to see many in need of blessing. We become the hands and feet of Jesus when we meet needs. We are the fulfillment of the Israelite priesthood when we extend blessings. This small blessing packs a powerful punch. Find someone today, look them in the eye, and speak this blessing over them…the Holy Spirit will do the rest!

Father of all blessings, Give me the courage to begin extending YOUR much needed blessings on others. Nudge me to know who needs it and prepare their hearts to receive it. I want to be Your instrument of blessing to others. Amen

Daily Dose 3-5-11

Mark 12:28-31 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

When we study the old Law, especially the book of Leviticus, we can see how radical Jesus’ answer was. Through Moses, God gave painstaking details of how He wanted to be worshipped, how sacrifices were to be made for each particular sin, and how people were to be punished for their sins. It’s easy for us to look at the Pharisees with harsh judgment because we know the end of the story. They were trying to carry out God’s commands to the letter of the law. The problem arose when they let the letter of the law surpass the heart of the law. Often, they were elevated to power and used that power to bind traditions with the Law. In their desire to execute justice, they forgot the One who was and is truly the Judge. Blinded by judgment and law keeping, they missed the Messiah who was directly before them. Jesus boils the purpose of the old Law and the promise of the new Law down to one action – love. How well are we doing at offering that sacrifice? Do we wake each morning in praise and adoration to God and continually think of Him throughout the day? Are we kind and loving to those around us? Obedience is important, but the motivation for that obedience should surpass the action. We obey because we love…we love because we are obedient.

Loving Father, Help me to get it right. Always remind me that You and Your son choose to love me even when I am most unlovable. Let my heart be softened to love You more everyday – so much so that it overflows to ALL those around me – not just those I choose to love. Amen