Sunday Words of Encouragement April 25, 2021

We enjoyed worship music online and, after announcements, Pastor continued his sermon series “It Matters”.

Sometimes we have to take control of our thoughts of defeat, discouragement, critical, sinful and anything that is not the mind of Christ. Stop making excuses. Don’t give quarter (or toehold) to thoughts that are not of the mind of Christ.
Give your whole mind to Christ. Position yourself through surrendering daily and spending renewing time with Christ.
Many times in today's engagements we see "Terms and Conditions". We are all probably liars because we don’t really read the Terms and Conditions when we say we have and click the "accept" button.

The Bible tells us how to live on God’s terms and conditions. The biggest issue revealed is our sin versus God’s holiness.

Today's message comes from Leviticus 10 and 16. Leviticus 16 gives instructions regarding the Day of Atonement. Leviticus is an instruction manual to the Levites, the priests of Israel. It is also instruction to the people in their relationship with God.

Leviticus 10:1-7 tells of the disobedience of two priests and their immediate death. They “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.” They thought they could walk into God’s presence on their own terms instead of on God’s terms.

When you come into God’s presence are you coming on his terms or on your terms? Since Jesus' sacrifice, we no longer need to meet all the details of incense and sacrifices on the altar. But we still need to come to God on his terms. Do you expect your terms to be met before you will worship? It is impossible to worship someone else on your terms. That is not worship.

God says all the time: “I am the Lord your God, I am Holy!”

The Point: It Matters: Worship should happen on God’s terms, not ours.

Psalm 40:3 says that God gave David a new song to sing praise to God.

If we truly understood whose presence we were in, what would be different? Would our posture, our attitude, our offerings be different? How can we be unaffected?

I had this song in my song list and I think it is beautiful and fitting.

Verses for Today:
Leviticus 10:1-3
10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:
“‘Among those who approach me
I will be proved holy;
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.’”
Aaron remained silent.

Psalm 40:3
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Lord, I pray that I recognize, value and glorify Your Holiness.