Head Above Water

Februrary 24, 2019 - Leviticus - The Day of Atonement

Reading Plan

Leviticus 1:1-17 In this offering, we see images of Christ’s full dedication to the Father expressed through His life obedience and His willing sacrifice on the cross. Christ gave Himself fully for us to make atonement for our sin. Our only reasonable response is total surrender to Him. The voluntary nature of this offering captures both Christ’s willingness to endure shame on our behalf and our proper motivation in living for Him. Our obedience is not to be offered by compulsion, but instead to be motivated by love and gratitude.

What area of your life are you holding back instead of fully surrendering to God? What is preventing you from giving this to God joyfully?

Leviticus 2:1-16 We can look at this offering, like the burnt offering, and see how it points to Christ. He is the One who demonstrated unmatched humility and generosity in taking on the flesh, coming to earth, and offering Himself so we might have forgiveness and eternal life. Believers should also seek to demonstrate scandalous generosity to those around us, so they might see the beauty and power of the gospel.

How can you be more generous this week with your time and resources?

Leviticus 3:1-17 Jesus was the willing sacrifice who provided forgiveness for our sin to remove the barrier between God and those who trust in Him. Because we have been given Christ’s righteousness, we are not spiritually neutral before God; He has restored relationship between holy God and forgiven humanity. As believers, each of our days should be marked by deep gratitude and joy for the relationship with God we have been given in Christ.

What can you do today to live out and enjoy the relationship with God that Christ has provided?

Leviticus 4:1–5:19 Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary to provide forgiveness that gives the believer confidence that he or she is accepted by God. Not even a single sin remains to bring condemnation from God. This is the source of the believer’s hope and joy. Even as believers continue to sin, remembering the scope and depth of Christ’s sacrifice for sin should cause us to seek to cast aside sin and to live holy lives pleasing to the Lord.

What sins have you committed but not yet confessed to God? How can you rest in His complete forgiveness and acceptance of you in Christ?

Leviticus 16:1-34 Likewise, the people of Israel were to practice self-denial because humility—that of Christ taking on the flesh and being the Suffering Servant and that of a person who comes to Him in total neediness for salvation—is a defining characteristic of the gospel.

Which do you find more difficult to maintain as a follower of Christ rest or self-denial? Why?

Exodus Ch 36-40 The Tabernacle - A place for God’s Presence

Weekly Reading Plan

Exodus 36:1-38 All we do is to be done for God’s glory as acts of worship. All of life can be worship of God. 

In what “ordinary” ways has God gifted you? How have you, or can you, use these in service to Him?

Exodus 37:1–38:31 In this passage two things are revealed. First, that worship of God is serious business. God takes worship seriously, and we should too. Second, Gad cares about the details of your life. 

What “small” detail of your life do you need to trust that God knows and cares about?

Exodus 39:1-43 We are called on to give God our best—of our time, energy, and resources—and to do so with joy.  This is our act of worship. 

In which areas of life might you be holding something back from God?

Exodus 40:1-33 The Israelites had been rescued from slavery in Egypt through the Passover in the middle of the first month of the year (Ex. 12:1-3). One year later, they were about to celebrate the first anniversary of the Passover with the tabernacle completed. It was a testament to God’s faithfulness. He had delivered His people and He was with them, guiding them toward their home. 

What spiritual markers in your life remind you of God’s faithfulness?

Exodus 40:34-38  It’s a fitting end to the book. God’s unchanging faithfulness on display for a people who did not deserve it. It’s a fitting picture for God’s relationship with Israel of the Old Testament, and it is a fitting picture for us. It is a picture of the gospel. 

How have you seen God’s undeserved faithfulness in your life?

As we conclude this study of Exodus Please consider how you can follow God daily Just as the Israelites did in Exodus.

Idols • Genesis 32

Head Above Water

This devotional podcast is designed to glorify God and foster generational discipleship. The name Head Above Water Simultaneously alludes to my family’s story of surviving despite a massive flood and it describes many families situation, Most of all points to the savior who reached into the water and rescued Peter.

Our family has flourished during parts of our lives. We have lived as though the wind was at our backs. We also know what it is like to live each day struggling to have the resources to move forward. We know what it is like to see the storm around us. Bills, Jobs, School, Homework, Laundry, diapers, toilets all needing to be addressed. We have taken our eyes off Jesus. We have lived day after day drowning in our circumstances.

Many families journey is enough to make them feel like they are barely making it. Many families are familiar with the struggle just to make it through the day. Some families work multiple jobs to provide groceries and to keep bills from piling up. It is easy to focus on the storms of life. This podcast is committed Christ and helping families get their gaze on him.

This is a podcast about real life and how to reach out to Jesus who will keep your head above water.

Helping Families as they reach for Jesus

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