the restoration of the Levitical Priesthood

Ezekiel 44

v28

And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I [am] their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I [am] their possession.

I noticed how the Lord worked through His people. When He was the one that provided for the Levites, He provided for them through His people. When the Lord was the One the Levites served, they served His people too. We can serve the Lord by serving His people, and that's what we should do.

One year ago today...

Where are you right now? At work, home, school, or somewhere else? Whatever you're doing, you might want to take this opportunity to stop and remember. Pray for the survivors, and for the family and friends of the victims of the tragedy one year ago in Von Maur at Westroads. I posted this article about it last year, about a week after it happened.

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Please use this memorial in your web page, blog, email and more:
<p align="center"><a href="http://www.findmercy.com/2007/12/one-year-ago-today.html"><img src="http://home.findmercy.com/home/vonmaur2.png" title="Memorial Picture" border="0" alt="We Remember" width="68" height="320" /></a></p>

This is the tall version of the memorial. See my original article for the wide version.

1 Peter 4 - Key

v1 & 2

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

If we don't follow our desires to do wrong, we have to suffer that way. Christ suffered in His body by doing the will of God instead the will of His body. We ought to arm ourselves with the same mindset of being willing to suffer.

Application

When I'm tempted to do something that I know is wrong, I'll be willing to suffer to give it up. I'll remember that I have a better reward in the future.

1 Peter 4 - Outline

v1-7

arm yourself with the mindset of willingness to suffer, watching by prayer, not walking in lust

v8-11

have charity, use hospitality, serve, and speak for the Lord

v12-14

we can have joy, even in fiery suffering, because:

• we take part in Christ's suffering
• we will be rewarded
• His Spirit rests on us
• He is glorified by it

v15 & 16

what good would it do to sin and suffer for our own sin, when we could live for Him and suffering for that?

v17-19

if we believers get such judgment, just think what will happen to ungodly people?

ashamed of iniquities

Ezekiel 43

v10

Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.

Through the pattern of this temple, Israel could see how perfect the Lord's pattern is for things. When they see His perfect pattern, and how far they've strayed from being able to achieve it, it would make them ashamed for their sin. It shows us our need for Him.

There's a place the Lord has prepared for us in heaven. It's a great place of reward for those who remain faithfully serving the Lord. Our sin would keep us from those great things. When we see a picture of them, and how great they'll be, we should be ashamed of our iniquities and turn to the Lord.

Hebrews 6 - Key

v15

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

The Lord has promised great things to us, that we can have to hope for. When things are hard, it's tempting to get lazy and let things slide. We should patiently endure now, and afterward we'll get what was promised.

Application

v12

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

We shouldn't be slothful. I'll work on getting up at 06:00.

Hebrews 6 - Outline

v1-3

milk doctrines that sound hard to understand to me

v4-8

the point of no return for people who fall away

v9 & 10

the Lord hasn't forgotten our service for Him

v11-15

be diligent, be patient, and endure, like Abraham did

v16-20

the Lord, Who never lies, swore with an oath, so we can be sure we have our hope