Preparing to Worship

Monday Readings:
      Exodus 26:14 The Israelites were receiving instructions as to how to put the tabernacle together. The covering for the tabernacle were to be a linen covering, a goat skin and then a covering of a ram skin dyed red and lastly a badger skin. Hmm. The goat skin to remind them of the scape goat who took their sins into the wilderness (Jesus took our sins as far as the east is from the west) and the ram skin died red. The blood sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary. The Hebrews couldn't miss seeing God's love and sacrifice in the tabernacle at every turn but often they did ignore and forget God's love.

Are we paying attention to the things Jesus wants us to see in our daily lives? Why not begin a list in your journal of the ways God is demonstrating Himself to you?

Father, thank you for placing things in our lives that demonstrate Your love and care for us every day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Tuesday Readings
     Exodus 27:20 The command was to bring pure olive oil, the first press, to burn in the lamp to cause it to burn always.
Jesus, the Light of the World will shine always. May we bring our best, be our best so others see Christ in us.

Father, may we always let our light shine before men that they may see our good work and glorify our Father in heaven. In Christ name. Amen.

Wednesday Readings
     Exodus 28:9-12, 15-21. The two onyx stones upon Aaron's shoulders bearing the names of the tribes if Israel and the stones on the breastplate, one for each tribe show us the burden Aaron was to carry for the Hebrews. God gave Israel visually for their understanding and for our understanding.

What burdens are you carrying on your heart? Why not write down the names of friends and love ones God is laying on your heart. Place it in a place you will see and remember to pray for them - on a mirror, or dresser, in your Bible, in a pocket, on a journal page, etc.

Father give us burdens for people that Your kingdom may come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Christ name. Amen.

Thursday Readings
      Exodus 29:13 The fat around the liver and kidneys were to be burned on the alter.

Animal fat has been rendered for centuries to use in soap making and candle making. This fat around the kidneys and liver contains the least meat. It is very white when rendered and also makes the best fats for cooking. It won't have a meaty smell. God requires purity. These fats burned on the alter melted down into the ashes. When the priests emptied the ashes, they then needed to wash off the ash. Soap at the time had not been invented but God was washing them in a way we can now see as lye soap. The lye from the ash, the fat from the alter and the water work together to create soap. God was purifying the priests without even their understanding. We really don't know how God purifies us when He forgives us and cleanses us from all sin. We just know He does.

Father, thank you for Your forgiveness and cleansing. I John 1:9. In Jesus name. Amen.

Friday Readings:
      Exodus 30:23-25 God gives directions for the anointing oil -myrrh, cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil.

Mmmmm! It's that time of year when we love the comforting smell of cinnamon and spices in apple pies and pumpkin pies and all the other good autumn cooking. Just think how wonderful the tabernacle must have smelled. Oh how wonderful to come into His presence to worship and relax and forget about the world outside with all the wonderful smells within.

Father help us to be reminded of Your sweet and loving care when we smell the wonderful baking this season and may we come into Your presence with Thanksgiving. In Christ name. Amen.

Let us in on your family worship during this most thankful season by leaving a comment.

Blessings,

Gail