“Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breast piece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. 6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.” Exodus 29:4-9 NIV
“Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then splash blood against the sides of the altar. 21 And take some blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.” Exodus 29:19-21 NIV
Lord God Almighty,
Instructions have been given for the building of an Ark and utensils and a portable tabernacle. Now it needed the tribe of Levi to be dedicated to look after the Holy things. With Aaron responsible for it all. Lord the right ear lobe, right thumb and right big toe? The hearing, the handling and the best foot forwarding? All to be kept attuned to You and doing and walking Your way.
That is in accord with what Peter writes in his first letter to us. We are a chosen people a royal priesthood and should live such good lives, pagans may accuse us but actually see we are good. (2:9-12)
It was a very public and yet very personal anointing for these priests. They would be known by the children of Israel and could never deny it had happened. Our relationship with God can only deepen as we allow him to go beyond our earlobe, right thumb and right big toe to the heart of our being. It is both public if we are seen as believers and as private as we allow him in our own lives. Jesus said, come unto me, and I will give You rest. He did not say, pass me by now and again. So here we are Monday bringing our listening our doing and our going to You for all we need this week.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 17th February 2024
This old hymn brings the old testament and the new testament together beautifully. I do not know the tune but below is a recording from an old service. I found it hard to hear the words so I have put them first.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred head
with thorns was pierced for me;
O pour thy blessing on my head
that I may think for thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred hands
with nails were pierced for me;
O shed thy blessing on my hands
that they may work for thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred feet
with nails were pierced for me;
O pour thy blessing on my feet
that they may follow thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred heart
with spear was pierced for me;
O pour thy Spirit in my heart
that I may live for thee.
Lyrics: Father Andrew
Tag: Prayer for Today
Sunday 16th February 2025
“Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” 4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar.
7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” 8 Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”” Exodus 24:1-8 NLT
Lord of the Covenant,
Moses seems to do a lot of going up and down the mountain at this time getting all the instructions for behaviour and property and social responsibility from You Lord. And then a covenant is drawn up, an agreement, a legal contract. And all 12 tribes agreed to keep Your covenant and You would be their all in all God. Not sure I would like to be splattered with blood and it would not have gone on all of them just the front ones representative of the whole. The Lord covered their sins with the blood of sacrifices so they could come before Him.
Jesus at the last supper took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27). Jesus blood completely forgives all our sin. He was the only pure sacrifice which could appease You, God. His blood was not sprinkled on us it was poured out for us. Today if we can get to worship, if we can take communion or draw into the presence of You, God or at home – help us to give thanks for sin forgiven. And know that it is not rituals that save us but a relationship with You through the blood of Jesus. And as we come to You, come afresh to us and soften our hearts Lord.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 15th February 2025
Oh lead me
To the place where I can find you
Oh lead me
To the place where you’ll be
Lead me to the cross
Where we first met
Draw me to my knees
So we can talk
Let me feel your breath
Let me know you’re here with me
Lyrics: Martin Smith
Soften my heart, Lord
Soften my heart
From all indifference
Set me apart
To feel your compassion
To weep with your tears
Come soften my heart, O Lord
Soften my heart
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick
Saturday 15th February 2025
“Then God gave the people all these instructions:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.3“You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:1-17 NLT
Lord God,
A society which keeps to these commandments. Would it be healthy, prosper and be wise? And reading the first commandment and knowing Your deliverance God, Your provision and guidance I do find myself beginning to judge the children of Israel . . . we know they turned from You just 12 chapters on. Then I remember I once did not believe the first commandment was true and when I did . . . I found I have broken many others too. I will never be perfect no matter how harder I try! But I know Your law in person and Jesus love because of the cross. Love and boundaries.
Thank you for giving us boundaries, we need them. They keep us safe first and then keep us from wandering and then help us grow good. You still went before your people as a pillar of light or fire. Thank You that You go with us today by Your Holy Spirit. Not before or behind but within. What a miracle. As Jesus promised, The Spirit guides us in Your truth. He speaks only what he hears from You, and tells us. (John 16:13). The commandments still stand.
Help us keep it simple, do what is right and ask Your Spirit to help us. Deliver us from temptation and evil. And when we slip, trip or flounder we thank You for Your indescribable gift of forgiveness – in Jesus.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 15th February 2025
Holy Spirit, guide my vision
Help me see the way You see
Always Jesus, ever Jesus
Christ in all is Christ in me
Holy Spirit, guide my speaking
Words of grace in truth abound
Let my lips be filled with stories
Of the mercy that I’ve found
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Holy Spirit, guide my hearing
Wake my ears to words You speak
In the thunder and the stillness
Let Your voice be clear in me
Let Your voice be clear in me
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on Repeat
Holy Spirit, lead me onward
Walking through the great unknown
Trusting, leaning, holding, clinging
Till the day You lead me home
Oh, guide my feet, Oh, guide my feet
Lead me on, Lead me on, Lord
Holy Spirit, open up my eyes
Holy Spirit, open up my heart
Open up my ears
Onwards You show me where You lead me
I will follow
You’re the light, You’re my path
You’re the shepherd of my soul
All I am, All I have, Holy Spirit, lead me on
Holy Spirit, lead me on
Lyrics: Brenton Brown / Chris Tomlin / Jason Ingram / Pat Barrett