“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, who offers his sacrifice for any of his vows or for any of his freewill offerings, which they offer to the Lord as a burnt offering— 19 you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats. 20 Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf. 21 And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, to fulfil his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. 22 Those that are blind or broken or maimed, or have an ulcer or eczema or scabs, you shall not offer to the Lord, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to the Lord. 23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any limb too long or too short you may offer as a freewill offering, but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 ‘You shall not offer to the Lord what is bruised or crushed, or torn or cut; nor shall you make any offering of them in your land. 25 Nor from a foreigner’s hand shall you offer any of these as the bread of your God, because their corruption is in them, and defects are in them. They shall not be accepted on your behalf.’ ” Leviticus 22:17-25 NKJV
Father God,
You made everything, (John 1:1-3), you own everything (Psalm 50:10-11), everything is in Your time and hands even eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11). You have given me more than I can proclaim in words through Your Son Jesus. How could I give You God less than my best?
The Israelites had been given protection from plagues. They had been given their freedom and seen their enemy destroyed before their eyes. They did not have to life a finger to help. They received daily bread in the wilderness and the water of life from rock. They received direction for their lives and the promise of a beautiful land to settle in. And You expected gratitude and thanksgiving. Yet You had to explain that any old thing is not really gratitude it is perfunctory. (What a lovely word) Carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.
So do You need to tell us how to show our gratitude? It is no longer set down in writing what we should give but Jesus surely set us an example, It was not always about how much or when but about doing Your will and giving and looking after each other. Your Holy Spirit helps us to know when You are calling us to give and how. Where to invest time and where finances can make a difference. And help us to give our best not grudgingly or boastfully. Sometimes I miss Your prompts, forgive me and help me.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
Worship Friday 6th February 2026
Its an old hymn not sung much now . . . but one of those hymns that always leads me to the throne room for a conversation.
Lord, Thou art questioning, “Lovest thou Me?”
Yea, Lord, Thou knowest, my answer must be;
But since love’s value is proved by love’s test,
Jesus, I’ll give Thee the dearest and best.
All in my heart, Lord, Thou canst read;
Master, Thou knowest I love Thee indeed.
Ask what Thou wilt my devotion to test:
I will surrender the dearest and best.
How couldst Thou smile on me if, in my heart,
I were unwilling from treasures to part?
Since my redemption cost Thee such a price,
Utmost surrender alone will suffice.
Down at Thy feet all my fears I let go;
Back on Thy strength all my weakness I throw;
Lord, in my life Thou shalt have Thine own way;
Speak but the word, and Thy child will obey
All in my heart, Lord, Thou canst read;
Master, Thou knowest I love Thee indeed.
Ask what Thou wilt my devotion to test:
I will surrender the dearest and best.
Lyrics: Ruth Tracey