Lev. 2:3 Holy and Honor

He will not take our sacrifices when there is no respect to him. God said that it is most holy. (Lev. 2:3). When God says something is holy, that means that he is expecting an attitude in us. He said to Moses that the place he stood is holy. Then what? He said that he got to remove his shoes. Angel said to Joshua that the place he was standing is holy. So what? Angel said that he got to remove his shoes. There are many Christians, experienced, knowledged like Moses and Joshua, yet they wait until someone to tell them that they need to have an attitude of humbleness.

You may be good person. When it comes to holy things, the question is how you dealing with it and its not about your good character. Bible tells us to take care of our behavior when we are going to his sanctuary.

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God..." Ecc. 5:1

God said that he will not accept their sacrifices and offerings because they did not honor him.

"A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? ...neither will I accept an offering at your hand." Mal. 1:6-10)

Tax collector's attitude gave him righteousness better than the experienced, knowledged pharisee. It has been our unrighteousness that closed some doors in heaven. Now the doors that so long were closed got a time to be opened.

Josiah, cried before the Lord and the curses over him were closed. If God closes the doors no one can open and if he opens then no one can close it. 

New Year- Who helps my decisions?

There are many times that i struggled between two years. At the beginning of this year i said to myself that i would not make any mistakes like i did in the last year. Now i stand and look back there are many mistakes i did. Yet now i am here healthy and happy. Its all because in each moment of pressure in the last year, like a rainbow after every rain fall, i could see the hand of the Lord my God. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save.

There are many that followed the Lord in the bible. But those that made some decisions are highlighted. 

Joshua made a decision that he and his family will serve the Lord alone. Josh. 24:15
David made a decision that he will take care of leading a blameless life. Ps. 101:2
Paul made a decision that he will press on toward the goal.. Phili. 3:14
Peter made a decision that he would not leave the Lord even if others leave. Mt. 26:33

Satan came to both Iscariot and Peter. Peter was addressed by Jesus as Satan. Yet Jesus made him survive because he is a man of decision where as Judas has been an important disciple and never took a loyal decision. Peter could not keep his decision, yet God helped him with it. David could not lead a blameless life but since he took a decision the Lord helped him with it. 

Now, I am taking a decision based not on my ability but on my Lord's faithfulness. He helps me through. Oh I am taking my Savior's hand and stepping into this new year with a complete peace. He is Emmanuel.

Ex. 37:1-9 its all about God.

It's a wood. The trees on a hill are just stayed there like invalid. But God selected a bush to come down and talk to his servant Moses. There came Moses. The staff in Moses' hand thought, "this is a living wood. That is why God is using it". Then it heard that God was saying to Moses to throw down your staff. Moses did. The staff turned into serpent. God said to Moses again, "take it". The staff turned into normal. The staff is very happy. Moses lifted it in Egypt here came plagues. He lifted and they ceased. "Why are you praying Moses? Stretch your staff and divide the sea." God said to Moses. Moses obeyed and the sea divided. The staff understood that it's not about living or dead. It's all about God. He choses and it works.

One day God called Moses and told him to make an Ark with acasia wood. Now it's a wood again. 

After a long time a priest who is carrying the ark thought that the Jordan will give way to them like Red Sea gave way to them. He thought that Joshua will use the same principle of stretching the wood. So he hold the wood tight that is on his shoulders. He stood in the front row. When they reached Jordan, Joshua told them to touch the river with your feet. "Did I hear right?" the priest asked himself. Yes he heard right. He touched the river and it was stopped. The priests stayed there until the whole nation crossed the river. This priest wondered, he asked his friend who is carrying along with him "hey it seems our feet has some power". His friend is quiet. Joshua called 12 people. " bring 12 stones from the river and pile them here." Some one asked Joshua, " why sir?" Joshua replied, "the same question will be asked by your sons. Then tell them that how the Jordan was stopped"

They went to bring the stones. Joshua said "bring the stones from the place where the priests' feet are." The young priest thought "certainly something is there in our feet". When these priests carrying the ark came to the bank, the river turned to the previous state. "Yes, there is something in our feet" the priest told to himself again. Next day morning he went to the river alone. The river is flowing well. He looked around. He slowly touched the water with his feet. Nothing happened. He pushed a bit. Nothing seems to be happening. He pushed his feet into the water a little hard. Now he slipped and about to fall down. But someone hold his hand. It was Joshua. Joshua looked at him and said, "there is nothing in your feet. It was presence of God that makes the difference. The power of the presence of God is there in the ark. It can flow through your body. It's not living wood or dead staff. It's not the man or feet. It's all about God"

Ex.34:30