Week 14 Wednesday
Today we look at the sin offering in Leviticus, let our hearts ring with praise in Psalm 65, and meet Barnabas the encourager and Dorcas the servant in Acts.
Leviticus 4
📖 What are we reading? The sin offering, given by those seeking forgiveness for unintentional sins.
✞ What does this passage say about God? In Christ, we have power over wilful sin - but we may not be rid of unintentional sin, and so we still ask God for forgiveness daily, even while living holy lives.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? We need not make a sin offering as described here - Christ's sacrifice already covers our sins, both wilful and unintentional. We must trust in Him, as our Saviour!
Looking for some extra info?
📰 An article about the difference between intentional and unintentional sin.
➡️ The bigger picture: Leviticus was revealed to Moses in the wilderness, soon after the tabernacle's completion, and no other book in the Bible contains as much direct speech from God. Its theme is holiness - showing Israel, and us, how a holy God can dwell among His people.
Psalm 65
📖 What are we reading? A lovely psalm of praise, which some believe points ahead to the second coming of Jesus.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He answers prayer, forgives our transgressions, and cares for the land. What a Saviour He is!
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Let us join the meadows and valleys and shout for joy to the Lord, in song, today!
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 9:26-43
📖 What are we reading? Barnabas stands up for Saul when the believers are afraid to trust his conversion, the Spirit encourages the church, and Peter raises Dorcas, a woman known for her service, back to life.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He builds His church through people willing to vouch for and encourage one another, and He is a God of life, even over death.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Will we be a Barnabas to someone others are quick to distrust? And will we, like Dorcas, be known for quiet service to others?
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion about Barnabas standing up for Saul, when the believers didn't want to believe his conversion story.
📝 A devotion about the Spirit encouraging us, as He did the church in verse 31.
📝 A devotion about Dorcas, the woman who served.
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that Your sacrifice covers even our unintentional sins. Help us to be encouragers like Barnabas, and servants like Dorcas, as Your church continues to grow through ordinary people. Amen.
If you’re enjoying this programme, please consider supporting Luke with a prayer, or a donation, here.
