Holiness of God, and our Gifts and Talents!

The journey to read through the bible in one year. One thought and one verse from every book and chapter of the bible…

Exodus 28
Exodus 28:3 Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.

The people who were given the task of creating these clothes for Aaron and the other priests, were given those skills and the wisdom to do so from God. All of us have special skills and gifts that God has given us. He uses His Spirit to fill us up. The question becomes, are we using those gifts and talents...abilities...to bring Him glory? Or are you using them for only yourself. We need to be using our gift and talents to bring Him glory and to honor Him. Use your gifts wisely. 

Exodus 29
Exodus 29:37 For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy. 

All through this chapter, I kept seeing God emphasize holiness. Holiness as it pertained to the priests, their clothes, the Tabernacle itself, the alters, sacrifices, and rituals. They had to be cleaned, consecrated, and properly prepared to meet God. It made me wonder how many times that I take Him for granted. I just rush to Him...and dont think of Him for who He really is. And how Holy He is. We need to remember a reverence and an honor that I often forget. How many of us use His name in vain...and dont even think twice about it. God spent chapters making sure that His people understood how important it was to see Him for who He is. We need to take that time too...

Exodus 30
Exodus 30:10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”

This once a year ceremony, the Day of Atonement, was highlighted by the high priest asking for forgiveness and atonement of the sins of the entire people. Even though they had offered sacrifices and offerings in the days and months leading up, the priest still needed to do a one time thing for everyone. Pointing the way for Jesus. A perfect sacrifice. Who removes our sins for forever! I love the foreshadowing that God does as He plays out His story to us of the world that He created! 

Exodus 31
Exodus 31:2-5 ² “See, I have chosen Bezalelson of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts

God regards all the skills of His people. Not just those who are gifted preachers, teachers, pastors, or evangelists. I think that we often tend to look at our gifts and compare them to others, and feel like they dont measure up or arent really as good or as needed. We look to those who are in leadership and think that they are the ones that have it all. But God can, will, and needs ALL of us to use the talents that we have been given by Him. He DOESNT make mistakes! Take notice of your gifts and abilities. Dont diminish or belittle your skills and gifts. God has given them to you. How are you using them today? 

So far to date...
Books read: 1
Chapters Read: 102
Verses Read: 3079 (3000 in Exodus 29:23)