The Daily Dose

Covered by Grace

‘If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. ~ Leviticus 4:27-28

Have you ever done something you didn’t mean to do, but later realized it hurt someone or dishonored God? Maybe it was a careless word, a wrong attitude, or a missed opportunity to obey. Maybe it was just that you had a hard day of grumbling and complaining? It can be hard to face those moments, especially when the intention wasn’t bad, yet the outcome still caused harm. In Leviticus 4, God gave instructions for what His people were to do when they sinned unintentionally. It shows us that He not only cares about deliberate wrongdoing, but also about the moments when we miss the mark without meaning to. More importantly, it reveals His mercy in providing a way to make things right again.

This passage teaches that God’s forgiveness is available even when we stumble unknowingly. His grace covers every area of life where we fall short, and His mercy invites us to come close again. There are three powerful truths from this chapter that can help you walk in that same grace today.

1. God sees the heart, not just the action. 

Even when the sin was unintentional, God still made a way for forgiveness. This shows that He cares deeply about the heart behind what we do. When you come before Him in honesty, He does not condemn, He restores.

When you realize you have hurt someone or disobeyed God without realizing it, talk to Him about it right away. Pray, “Lord, I didn’t mean to do that, but I see now that it was wrong. Please forgive me and help me make it right.” Ask Him to search your heart each day so you can live with a clean conscience.

Personal experience: I remember a time when I unintentionally offended a friend by something I said. I didn’t realize how it sounded until later when I noticed her pulling away. I prayed and asked God to show me what was wrong, and He gently brought that conversation back to mind. I reached out to apologize, and she immediately forgave me. That experience reminded me that God cares about the little things that weigh on the heart and that peace comes when I keep short accounts with Him and others.

2. Confession opens the door to cleansing. 

In Leviticus 4, when a person became aware of their sin, they were instructed to bring an offering before the Lord. It was an act of confession and repentance. Today, through Jesus, you no longer need to bring an animal sacrifice because Jesus paid the debt for all sin in this world, but confession still brings cleansing to your soul.

Set aside quiet time with God each day to talk honestly with Him. If something comes to your heart that needs to be confessed, do it right away. Write it down in your journal if that helps, then thank Him for His forgiveness through Jesus. Confession is not about guilt, it’s about freedom.

Personal experience: There was a season when I struggled with overcommitting myself and constantly saying yes to too many things. I didn’t realize that I was doing it out of fear of disappointing people. One morning during prayer, God showed me that I was trying to please others more than Him. I confessed it, and it felt like a weight lifted off my chest. From that day on, I began asking Him before committing to anything new, and it brought so much peace.

3. God’s mercy covers what you cannot fix. 

The offering in Leviticus 4 represented covering for what the person could not undo. It was a reminder that forgiveness comes through God’s mercy, not human effort. There are times in life when you can’t go back and change what happened, but you can rest in knowing that He covers you completely.

When you can’t fix what was done, stop replaying it in your mind. Say, “Lord, I trust Your mercy to cover me.” Spend time thanking Him for His faithfulness instead of focusing on your failure. Mercy means you can move forward without fear or shame.

Personal experience: I once made a decision that affected more people than I realized, and even though it wasn’t intentional, the outcome caused stress for others. I wanted so badly to fix everything, but it was beyond my control. During prayer, I felt the Lord whisper, “You’ve done what you can, now let My mercy do the rest.” That truth gave me peace. His mercy truly fills the gaps I cannot.  When I give it up to Him, that opens the door for my Father to reach into the situation and turn it for a good outcome.

Even when sin is unintentional, God’s love is intentional. He doesn’t want you to live under guilt or shame. Instead, He invites you to come close, confess, and walk in the peace that forgiveness brings. His mercy is greater than your mistakes, and His grace is stronger than your weakness.

Today I want to encourage you to bring your heart honestly before God. If there is anything you’ve been carrying, give it to Him and let His forgiveness wash over you. You are not meant to live in regret, but in the freedom that comes from His grace. The same God who forgave the Israelites for unintentional sin is the same God who covers you through Jesus Christ today. Rest in that mercy, and let it fill your heart with peace.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 4

1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and does any of them, 

3 if the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the Lord for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. 

4 He shall bring the bull to the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and kill the bull before the Lord. 

5 Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting. 

6 The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary. 

7 And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood of the bull at the base of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

8 He shall take from it all the fat of the bull as the sin offering. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat which is on the entrails, 

9 the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove, 

10 as it was taken from the bull of the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn them on the altar of the burnt offering. 

11 But the bull’s hide and all its flesh, with its head and legs, its entrails and offal— 

12 the whole bull he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out it shall be burned.

13 ‘Now if the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which should not be done, and are guilty; 

14 when the sin which they have committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for the sin, and bring it before the tabernacle of meeting. 

15 And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord. Then the bull shall be killed before the Lord. 

16 The anointed priest shall bring some of the bull’s blood to the tabernacle of meeting. 

17 Then the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. 

18 And he shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of meeting; and he shall pour the remaining blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

19 He shall take all the fat from it and burn it on the altar. 

20 And he shall do with the bull as he did with the bull as a sin offering; thus he shall do with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them. 

21 Then he shall carry the bull outside the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is a sin offering for the assembly.

22 ‘When a ruler has sinned, and done something unintentionally against any of the commandments of the Lord his God in anything which should not be done, and is guilty, 

23 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a male without blemish. 

24 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the goat, and kill it at the place where they kill the burnt offering before the Lord. It is a sin offering. 

25 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering. 

26 And he shall burn all its fat on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of the peace offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and it shall be forgiven him.

27 ‘If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally by doing something against any of the commandments of the Lord in anything which ought not to be done, and is guilty, 

28 or if his sin which he has committed comes to his knowledge, then he shall bring as his offering a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed. 

29 And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering at the place of the burnt offering. 

30 Then the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. 

31 He shall remove all its fat, as fat is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a sweet aroma to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.

32 ‘If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he shall bring a female without blemish. 

33 Then he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill it as a sin offering at the place where they kill the burnt offering. 

34 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour all the remaining blood at the base of the altar. 

35 He shall remove all its fat, as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering. Then the priest shall burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

Journal:

• What is something I’ve been carrying that I need to bring before God?
• How can I be more aware of the moments when I unintentionally hurt others
• What does it look like for me to confess and receive God’s forgiveness daily?
• Where do I need to trust God’s mercy for something I cannot fix?
• How can I walk in greater peace knowing that God sees my heart?

His peace is priceless

‘When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. ~ Leviticus 3:1

Have you ever longed for peace, not just in your circumstances, but deep within your heart? The kind of peace that doesn’t depend on whether things are going right, but comes from knowing that your life is right with God? In Leviticus 3, God instructed His people to bring a peace offering. It was not an offering for sin, but one that celebrated fellowship and communion with Him. It was a moment of worship, gratitude, and intimacy that symbolized wholeness between the giver and God.

From this passage, there are three important lessons to carry into your daily life about living in peace with God:

1. Peace with God starts with surrender.

The offering had to be “without blemish,” meaning it was whole and complete. God desires the same from you, not perfection, but a willing heart. Peace begins when you stop trying to fix everything yourself and surrender it all to Him.

Spend time in prayer each morning giving God the things that weigh on your heart. Start by saying, “God, I give this day and everything in it to You.” When worries come, quietly say, “I trust You.” This posture of surrender invites His peace to rule in your heart.

Personal example: I remember a time when everything in my life felt out of control. I was loaded down with work deadlines, family concerns, and constant demands on my time. I tried to manage it all on my own until I realized I was exhausted and anxious. Finally, one morning, I simply said, “God, I can’t do this anymore, but I know You can. From now on, I give up control and trust in You to strengthen me for everything you have called me to do.” That one prayer didn’t change my circumstances immediately, but it changed me. I felt peace rush in where worry had been. Each day after that, surrender became my strength instead of my struggle.

2. Peace grows in gratitude.

The peace offering was often accompanied by thanksgiving. Gratitude opens the door for peace to flow into your life because it shifts your focus from what is missing to what God has already done.

Write down three things each day that you are thankful for. Speak them out loud to God. Thank Him even for small things, like a moment of laughter or a quiet sunrise. Gratitude softens your heart and helps you see His hand in every season.

Personal example: At the beginning of this year, I started a “Gratitude journal.” Every morning, I write down at least three blessings in my life. At first, it was hard to think of anything, but as the days went on, I noticed peace beginning to grow inside me. Gratitude reminded me that God was still at work, even when I couldn’t see the full picture.

3. Peace is shared through fellowship.

In the peace offering, the worshiper, the priest, and God all shared portions of the sacrifice. It was a meal of fellowship. True peace with God leads to peace with others.

Take time to encourage someone today. Offer forgiveness where it is needed. Invite a friend or family member to share a meal and talk about what God has done in your life. The same peace you receive from Him can become a gift you give to others.

Personal example: I once held onto hurt from a close friendship that ended painfully. Every time I saw that person, I felt tension rise inside me. One day during prayer, I felt the Lord nudge me to reach out but not to fix the relationship, but to release forgiveness. When I did, it was like a weight lifted off my chest. I experienced peace in a way I hadn’t felt for years. That act of obedience didn’t just heal my heart, it restored joy in my relationship with God.

When I began to intentionally thank God each day and share my life with others instead of trying to carry everything alone, I saw His peace grow stronger in me. It was no longer dependent on what was happening around me, but on Who was living inside of me.

Today I want to encourage you to bring your heart before God as your peace offering. Give Him your attention, your gratitude, and your trust. Let His peace fill the spaces that worry has taken up and His presence bring calm to your soul. You were never meant to live without peace. You were created to live in continual fellowship with the Prince of Peace Himself.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 3

1 ‘When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. 

2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. 

3 Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire to the Lord. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 

4 the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove; 

5 and Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is on the wood that is on the fire, as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

6 ‘If his offering as a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord is of the flock, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish. 

7 If he offers a lamb as his offering, then he shall offer it before the Lord. 

8 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar.

9 ‘Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as an offering made by fire to the Lord, its fat and the whole fat tail which he shall remove close to the backbone. And the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 

10 the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove; 

11 and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

12 ‘And if his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before the Lord. 

13 He shall lay his hand on its head and kill it before the tabernacle of meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. 

14 Then he shall offer from it his offering, as an offering made by fire to the Lord. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 

15 the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove; 

16 and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat is the Lord’s.

17 ‘This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.’ ”

Journal:

• What areas of my life am I holding onto instead of surrendering to God?
• How can I start showing gratitude to God in my daily routine?
• Who can I reach out to this week to share peace and encouragement with?
• What does true peace with God look like for me right now?

A heart that pleases God

‘No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. ~ Leviticus 2:11

Have you ever wondered what it means to have a pure heart before God? In a world full of distractions, opinions, and pressures, it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters to Him. We can serve, give, and even worship outwardly, but God looks deeper. He sees the motives, the thoughts, the intentions and the quiet places no one else notices. Leviticus 2 gives us a picture of this truth through the grain offering, which represented gratitude, devotion, and purity before the Lord.

When the Israelites brought a grain offering, they were offering something from the work of their hands such as flour, oil, and frankincense. It was a personal act of worship that revealed the condition of their hearts. The instruction to keep yeast and honey out of the offering was a symbol of purity. Yeast often represented sin, pride, or corruption that spreads quietly. God wanted His people to bring something pure, untainted, and honest before Him. That same invitation is open to every believer today.

I remember a time when I was serving in ministry, doing everything I could to please others and meet expectations. It looked right on the outside, but my heart was worn out and resentful. During prayer, I sensed God whisper to me, “I care more about what’s in your heart than what’s in your hands.” That moment changed how I approached serving. I realized that a pure heart isn’t about being perfect. It is about being open and honest before God and allowing Him to purify what all that is inside of me.

Here are three truths from Leviticus 2 that can help you keep your heart pure before God:

1. A pure heart gives to God freely.

The grain offering was voluntary. It was given out of love, not obligation. God desires offerings that come from a willing spirit. A pure heart gives not to gain favor, but to express gratitude.

Look at how you serve, give, or help others. Ask yourself if it comes from joy or duty. Each day, offer God a moment of thanksgiving for what He has provided. Start your morning with a simple prayer: “Lord, I give You this day and everything in it with a grateful heart.” Gratitude keeps your heart free from selfish motives.

Example: I began setting aside a small portion each to send a message of encouragement to someone God placed on my heart. It has become a daily offering of kindness that brings joy to others and priceless peace to me heart.

2. A pure heart is free from mixture.

God’s command to keep yeast and honey out of the grain offering shows the importance of purity in our intentions. Yeast represents sin that grows when left unchecked, and honey can represent the sweetness of self-interest that distracts us from true devotion. A pure heart is not divided between pleasing God and pleasing self.

Ask God to show you if there is anything mixed into your motives that doesn’t belong. It might be pride, comparison, or bitterness. Take time to confess it and ask Him to cleanse you. Keeping your heart pure is not about perfection but about honesty before Him.

Example: I remember preparing to lead a ministry project and realizing I was more concerned about impressing others than honoring God. I prayed, “Lord, I want this to please You, not people.” That simple shift lifted the pressure and filled me with God’s heart for the project.

1. A pure heart carries peace and worship.

Frankincense was added to the grain offering to create a beautiful aroma before God. This reminds us that a pure heart brings peace, worship, and joy wherever it goes. When your heart is pure, your life becomes a fragrance of Christ Jesus to others.

Spend quiet moments in worship, not just in song, but in gratitude throughout your day. Speak kind words, forgive quickly, and serve with gentleness. When you do this, you carry the presence of God with you into every situation.

When I began to give from a heart of gratitude instead of pressure, I noticed a new joy in my serving. God was not looking for my performance. He was after my heart of love for Him. He wanted my heart to be free, thankful, and full of peace.

Example: I started playing worship music while I worked around the house, thanking God out loud for His goodness. It changed the atmosphere of my home and reminded me that worship doesn’t only happen on Sundays, it happens in the ordinary.

Purity before God is not about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about giving Him your best, keeping your heart honest, and carrying His peace wherever you go.

Today I want to encourage you to give God what is pure from your heart. Offer Him your gratitude, your honesty, and your worship. Let Him purify anything that feels mixed or heavy inside of you. He delights in a sincere heart that seeks Him without pretense. You do not need perfection to please Him, only purity that comes from humility and love. When your heart is pure before God, every act, word, and offering becomes a beautiful aroma of worship that rises to His throne.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 2

1 ‘When anyone offers a grain offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. And he shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it. 

2 He shall bring it to Aaron’s sons, the priests, one of whom shall take from it his handful of fine flour and oil with all the frankincense. And the priest shall burn it as a memorial on the altar, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. 

3 The rest of the grain offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire.

4 ‘And if you bring as an offering a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. 

5 But if your offering is a grain offering baked in a pan, it shall be of fine flour, unleavened, mixed with oil. 

6 You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering.

7 ‘If your offering is a grain offering baked in a covered pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. 

8 You shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the Lord. And when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar. 

9 Then the priest shall take from the grain offering a memorial portion, and burn it on the altar. It is an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. 

10 And what is left of the grain offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is most holy of the offerings to the Lord made by fire.

11 ‘No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. 

12 As for the offering of the firstfruits, you shall offer them to the Lord, but they shall not be burned on the altar for a sweet aroma. 

13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

14 ‘If you offer a grain offering of your firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits green heads of grain roasted on the fire, grain beaten from full heads. 

15 And you shall put oil on it, and lay frankincense on it. It is a grain offering. 

16 Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the Lord.

Journal:

• What are some things I offer to God that might need purifying in my motives?
• How can I practice gratitude that comes from a sincere heart this week?
• Are there areas in my life where I give or serve from pressure rather than love?
• What does it look like for me to carry the fragrance of worship into my daily life?

A heart on the altar

_{‘If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. ~ Leviticus 1:3}

Have you ever had a moment when you felt God asking you to give something up that meant a lot to you? It could be your comfort, a dream, a habit, or even your time. Leviticus may seem like an ancient book about animal sacrifices ceremonial structure, but it carries a powerful message for Christians today. It teaches that worship begins with surrender and that true offering comes from a willing heart.

In this chapter, God gave Moses instructions about the burnt offering. Every detail mattered because it represented complete devotion. The sacrifice had to be spotless, offered willingly, and consumed fully on the altar. Nothing was held back. In the same way, God calls each person today to bring their heart before Him with sincerity and trust, offering their life as a living sacrifice.

1. Offer God your best, not what is leftover

God told His people to bring a spotless animal, not a weak or blemished one. This was because He is worthy of the very best. In today’s world, it is easy to give God the leftovers of time, energy and even finances after everything else had been paid or completed. But God desires what is first and pure, not what is left over.  In this way, you consider Him first in every area of your life, not as an afterthought at the end of the day.

Here is how you can get started applying this truth in your life:

• Set aside time each morning to talk to God before your day begins.
• Give your best energy and creativity to serve Him in your work or ministry.
• When you plan your week, schedule your time with God as a top priority.

Begin by identifying one area of your life where God is getting your “leftovers.” Offer it to Him today and choose to give your best effort as an act of worship.

I once found myself giving God only what I had left at the end of my day. I was exhausted, distracted, and half-present during my quiet time. One evening, I sensed Him whisper, “I want your heart when it’s awake.” Then I saw a picture of a couple first falling in love. They ran to each other every chance they got. They called and made every effort to be close. They always showed up as the best version of themselves and gave each other the best they had to offer. That image stayed with me. From that moment, I started spending time with Him early in the morning, even though it meant getting up earlier than before. That small change transformed my whole day and deepened my relationship with Him to a level I never knew ways possible.

2. Offer willingly, not out of obligation

The verse says, “He shall offer it of his own free will.” God never forces devotion. Love that is genuine must be chosen freely. When your heart willingly surrenders, it becomes an offering that brings joy instead of weariness.

Here is how you can get started applying this truth in your life:

• Serve in church or ministry out of love, not guilt.
• Give generously with joy, not pressure.
• Say yes to God’s leading even when it stretches your comfort zone. Don’t live that life of regrets

Take a few minutes today to ask yourself, “Am I doing this for God because I have to, or because I want to?” Then pray and ask Him to renew your desire to serve with joy.

I once volunteered in an area of ministry that started to feel like a burden. I was showing up because it was expected, not because my heart was in it. One Sunday, during prayer, I asked God to show me what He wanted. He reminded me that He wanted my willingness, not my routine. I took a break, prayed for direction, and when I returned, I served with fresh joy and a renewed heart. He reminded me of a verse that I keep with me all the time now: If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land. ~ Isaiah 1:19

3. Stay consistent on the altar

In Leviticus 1 we read that the entire offering was burned until nothing was left. It symbolized total surrender and complete devotion. God wants a heart that stays surrendered, not just during emotional moments but through the daily choices of obedience.

Here are some ways to apply this in your life:

• Stay faithful in prayer and worship even when you don’t feel like it.
• Keep short accounts with God. When you fail, go to Him quickly and start again.
• Be consistent in following small instructions from the Holy Spirit as He leads you step by step.

Choose one habit that helps you stay close to God, such as journaling or reading His Word, and commit to a scheduled time each day this week. Let it be your way of staying on the altar before Him.

There was a time I started something God pointed me to do but gave up when it got difficult. I wanted the quick reward but not the long obedience. During prayer, I sensed the Lord saying, “Stay on the altar until I finish the work.” I decided to keep going even when it felt slow. In the end, I saw fruit that was worth every moment of process.

Today I want to encourage you to bring your heart to the altar and offer it freely to God. Give Him your best, serve Him with willingness, and stay surrendered through every season. God still meets His people at the altar of obedience. When you give Him your whole heart, He fills your life with His presence, peace, and purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 1

1 Now the Lord called to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying, 

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—of the herd and of the flock.

3 ‘If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. 

4 Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 

5 He shall kill the bull before the Lord; and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

6 And he shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into its pieces. 

7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay the wood in order on the fire. 

8 Then the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; 

9 but he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water. And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

10 ‘If his offering is of the flocks—of the sheep or of the goats—as a burnt sacrifice, he shall bring a male without blemish. 

11 He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the Lord; and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. 

12 And he shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat; and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar; 

13 but he shall wash the entrails and the legs with water. Then the priest shall bring it all and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

14 ‘And if the burnt sacrifice of his offering to the Lord is of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or young pigeons. 

15 The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar; its blood shall be drained out at the side of the altar. 

16 And he shall remove its crop with its feathers and cast it beside the altar on the east side, into the place for ashes. 

17 Then he shall split it at its wings, but shall not divide it completely; and the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

Journal:

• What area of my life have I been giving God what is left instead of my best?
• In what ways can I serve God more willingly instead of out of obligation?.
• What does it look like for me to stay consistent on the altar in this season of my life?

The glory that fills the house

‘Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ‘ ~ Exodus 40:34

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if God’s presence completely filled your life? Not just a glimpse of His goodness or a brief touch of His hand every now and then, but His full, unmistakable presence dwelling with you, guiding you, and surrounding you in every area of your life. That is exactly what happened when Moses finished the work of building the tabernacle in Exodus 40.

After all the instructions, preparation, and obedience, something extraordinary took place. The glory of the Lord filled the house. It was so powerful that even Moses could not enter the tent because God’s presence was overwhelming. This same God who filled the tabernacle with His glory desires to fill your life today with His presence and power.

In this chapter, there are three important truths about how to prepare for and live in the presence of God.

1. Prepare a place for His presence

Before the glory came, there had to be a prepared place. Moses followed God’s instructions carefully, setting up every piece of the tabernacle exactly as the Lord commanded. Each part mattered, and obedience opened the way for God’s presence to come.

In your life, preparing a place for God’s presence begins with your heart. It means creating room for Him in your time, your thoughts, and your priorities. When you make space for Him, He fills it.

There was a time when my schedule was so full that I felt like I was constantly running from one thing to the next. I was serving, working, and doing good things, but I didn’t have much stillness in my days. One morning, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, “You’ve been serving Me but not sitting with Me.” That moment stopped me. I realized I had built a lot of activity around God but hadn’t made intentional space for His presence. When I began setting aside quiet time each day, even just fifteen minutes, it changed everything. Peace returned, clarity came, and I began to feel His presence filling my days in ways I hadn’t before.

Here is how you can get started:

• Start each day by inviting God to lead your day before anything else.
• Create a specific time each day to meet with Him through prayer or reading Scripture.
• Clear away distractions that crowd your spiritual space, such as constant noise, worry, or busyness.

Begin by setting aside ten minutes today to simply be with God. Sit quietly, open your Bible, and tell Him you want His presence to fill your life. Consistency in small moments opens the door for His glory to dwell with you.

2. Follow His direction, even in the details

Exodus 40 repeatedly says, “As the Lord commanded Moses.” Every detail mattered to God. Moses didn’t skip steps or make changes. He trusted that if God said it, it was worth doing. Obedience invited God’s presence, and blessing followed.

In today’s world, God’s direction can feel difficult, especially when culture tells you to do what feels right instead of what is right. But choosing to follow God, even in small ways, positions you to experience His peace, guidance, and favor.  After all, He has your best life planned and He only wants to lead you to that blessed path. He is for you more than any other person in this world and He has the power to give you the best blessed life as you follow His lead.

For me, obedience often starts with those small nudges in my heart, the kind that challenged my comfort zone. I remember a time when God prompted me to give something away that I really wanted to hold on to. It wasn’t about the item itself but about trusting that His blessing was waiting for me on the other side of my obedience. When I followed through, not only did I experience peace, but I also saw God’s provision show up in a completely unexpected way. Obedience, even when uncomfortable, always brings blessing.

Here is how you can get started:

• Ask God to show you one area where He’s leading you. It could be forgiveness, generosity, or stepping out in faith.
• Be intentional to follow through, even when it feels uncomfortable.
• Keep a journal of answered prayers or moments where following His instruction produced peace, so you can look back and see His faithfulness.

Pray today, “Lord, help me to obey You fully, even in the small things.” Listen for His gentle direction and act on what He shows you.

3. Expect God’s glory to fill your life

When the work was finished and everything was in its place, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. This was not just a moment of awe, it was a sign that God was dwelling among His people. In the same way, when you prepare your heart and walk in His way, you can expect God’s presence to fill your life in powerful ways.

The glory of God might show up as peace in chaos, strength in weakness, or direction in confusion. His presence changes everything around you.

I’ve seen this happen in my own life during seasons of deep uncertainty. There were times when I didn’t have the answers, but I had peace. There were moments when everything felt too big, but His strength carried me. I know now that His glory doesn’t just fill a place, it fills a person who makes room for Him. When your heart is open and your steps are obedient, His presence meets you right where you are.

Here is how you can prepare for His presence:

• Believe that God desires to be near you, not far from you.
• When you feel discouraged or empty, remind yourself that His glory can fill your situation.
• Speak gratitude throughout your day for the ways God is already showing His presence and goodness.

Each morning, say, “Lord, fill me with Your presence today.” Throughout your day, pause and thank Him for being with you. You will begin to sense His peace and guidance more deeply.

Today I want to encourage you to prepare your heart for the presence of God and expect His glory to fill every part of your life. Just as He filled the tabernacle with His presence when everything was in order, He wants to fill you with His peace, strength, joy and wellbeing. When you make space for Him, follow His instructions, and believe that He is near, His glory will overflow in your life in ways that others can see. God still delights to dwell with His people, and He desires to dwell with you today.

Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 40

1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 

2 “On the first day of the first month you shall set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 

3 You shall put in it the ark of the Testimony, and partition off the ark with the veil. 

4 You shall bring in the table and arrange the things that are to be set in order on it; and you shall bring in the lampstand and light its lamps. 

5 You shall also set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the Testimony, and put up the screen for the door of the tabernacle. 

6 Then you shall set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. 

7 And you shall set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 

8 You shall set up the court all around, and hang up the screen at the court gate.

9 “And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy. 

10 You shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy. 

11 And you shall anoint the laver and its base, and consecrate it.

12 “Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of meeting and wash them with water. 

13 You shall put the holy garments on Aaron, and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 

14 And you shall bring his sons and clothe them with tunics. 

15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to Me as priests; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

16 Thus Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.

17 And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up. 

18 So Moses raised up the tabernacle, fastened its sockets, set up its boards, put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 

19 And he spread out the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

20 He took the Testimony and put it into the ark, inserted the poles through the rings of the ark, and put the mercy seat on top of the ark. 

21 And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, hung up the veil of the covering, and partitioned off the ark of the Testimony, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

22 He put the table in the tabernacle of meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside the veil; 

23 and he set the bread in order upon it before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

24 He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle; 

25 and he lit the lamps before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

26 He put the gold altar in the tabernacle of meeting in front of the veil; 

27 and he burned sweet incense on it, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

28 He hung up the screen at the door of the tabernacle. 

29 And he put the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

30 He set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing; 

31 and Moses, Aaron, and his sons would wash their hands and their feet with water from it. 

32 Whenever they went into the tabernacle of meeting, and when they came near the altar, they washed, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

33 And he raised up the court all around the tabernacle and the altar, and hung up the screen of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 

37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 

38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Journal:

• What areas of my life feel too crowded for God’s presence right now?
• How can I make more room for Him in my daily routine?
• What small step of obedience is God asking me to take today?
• When have I experienced God’s presence or peace in a noticeable way?
• How can I stay more aware of His glory in my everyday life?

The Power of a God-sized Vision

_{Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” ~ Acts 23:9}

Today I want to talk about the power of a God sized vision.  Many times in life, God puts a thought or idea into a person’s heart.  The bible refers to it as a dream or vision.  When God gives a vision to an individual, it is guaranteed that it will be bigger than the person receiving the dream.  The reason is so that you will have to depend on God, step by step, to accomplish this plan.  It also ensures that you will have to have help and to grow in relationships with the people called to work on the mission with you.  However, when God does drop a direction in your heart, as you talk with Him about it, you will sense faith rising up and the energy you need to move forward on the plan.  Sometimes, you will have an idea that will require a time of prayer and preparation to get started.  Other times He calls you to start today, right where you are.  The key is in putting yourself into a quiet space and spending time listening to His voice within your heart to know just what your next step needs to be. 

In my case, I find myself often worrying about how I am going to do the next thing that is needed.  When that happens, I ask Him, “How am I going to do that?”  But I don’t make excuses, I wait and listen.  Each time I think of that step, I thank God that He has the answer and that He is getting it to me at just the right time.  It may take days before the answer comes or even months.  However, I know God is reminding me about it when the thought comes and that is my cue to pray about it some more by believing He is going to show me the answer and thanking Him that He is making it plain and clear to me.  God knows you and He knows me and what He really knows is how much time each one of us needs to start moving and He strategically plans that into the equation.

In today’s reading at the beginning of Acts chapter 23, Paul was brought before the chief priests and all their council so that the commander of the Roman guard could find out what the dispute was about the previous day.  Paul started out his defense by saying that he lived in all good conscience before God everyday.  This statement came the next day after he confessed all he had done to persecute the church the day before. It is clear from this statement that he had been forgiven and didn’t let his regrets and past sin hold him back from what God had called him to do.

This is often the place where people get stuck in life.  They get saved and into a right relationship with God through the blood of Jesus but cannot get out of the grip of past sin.  In reality, they are the ones gripping and holding on to the past, but God wants us all to let it go because He has cleansed each one of us in the blood of Jesus and washed away every stain of sin!  Before you are able to “see” where God is leading you in life, you have to be looking in the right direction and that is ahead.  Stop looking behind you at your past sin or the hurts you have experienced in life.  God is working all of those things for a good purpose now and that is to help others overcome their pasts.

As Paul continued to speak Acts 23, the people there came into a great argument.  So that finally one group decided that if Paul had a visitation from heaven whether an angel or God Himself, they did not want to try to fight against what God was doing.

This is usually what happens next to each one of us when given a God sized vision.  As we begin to share with others, they quickly see that the dream is much bigger than we can accomplish on our own, so they dispute and try to “talk some sense” into us.  These “nay sayers” will knock you right off your course if you listen to them.  Although it is not usually wrong to share what God has put in your heart, be selective and start out talking about the idea with those who will pray with you and be encouraging and especially if you do not know for sure if your dream has come from God or just your own imagination.

Next in the reading, Paul is rescued from the dispute and taken to a safe place.  You can also follow his example to withdraw to a place of prayer.  Create a safe secret space where you can spend quiet time with God each day and every time you are afraid or confused about what is next in the plan.  A place where you can find peace and rest for your soul.  A place to quiet the external voices and even the internal voices of doubt and unbelief that are talking over His inward voice.  This will take place every single day while working on the assignment and when it is accomplished, you will get in that secret place again for your next assignment.

Today I want to encourage you to ask your heavenly Father for a God sized vision for the coming year.  This is not setting a goal to become healthier or wealthier.  Although those are not bad goals, God’s assignments on your life will be something that impacts the people around you everywhere you go.  After you ask Him, begin to thank Him that His plan for your life is on the way and you are ready to receive it and walk it out with His empowerment.  Thank Him everyday for it until you realize what it is.  If you find yourself making excuses because of where you have come from, what you have done in the past or the lack of education you have had, turn those excuses over to Him and get rid of them!  Now you are ready to write down the plan when it comes and begin to pray for where and how to start.  Ask Him who to talk to about it and pray about it with.  Then begin to take steps as He brings them to your thoughts and heart and ask for His strength along the way.  Retreat often to thank Him for calling you and for staying close to you step by step.  When you do hear objections or unbelief, ask your loving heavenly Father to protect you from those thoughts and remind you of His grace to do big things for Him.  Make this coming year your best year yet by stepping into the mission God wants to do through your life!

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 22:30 – 23:1-10

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 

3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”

5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”

7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 

8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 

9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”

10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

 Journal:

• What dream or idea has God placed in my heart that feels bigger than me?
• What past regret or fear might be holding me back from moving forward?
• How can I create a quiet place to listen for God’s direction?
• Who in my life encourages my faith and can pray with me about this vision?
• What small step can I take today toward the plan God is showing me?

Citizenship

The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Acts 22:28

I was born a United States citizen. Today, many people take that for granted, but for me, it is an honor. I believe the words of the old patriotic song that say there is no greater land on earth. Being an American comes with many privileges and freedoms that others in the world do not have. I can live in peace, protect myself and my family, travel freely without harassment, and most importantly, worship God openly and gather with other believers in a house of worship.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul had been arrested and was about to be examined under scourging, which was a brutal Roman punishment. But when Paul revealed that he was a Roman citizen, everything changed. The centurion immediately reported it to his commander, who told Paul that he had purchased his own citizenship at a great price. Paul responded that he had been born a citizen. That revelation shifted the entire situation, and Paul was removed from danger and placed under the protection of the Roman guard. Though Paul was Jewish, his dual citizenship gave him access to certain rights and protections that others didn’t have. He was wise to know what his rights were and bold enough to speak up when he needed them.

In the same way, if you have received salvation through Jesus, you also have dual citizenship. You may have been born in America, but when you were born again into the Kingdom of God, you became a citizen of heaven. That means you have access to heavenly rights and benefits right now in this life. Those benefits, however, can only operate effectively when you know what they are and walk in them.

Psalm 103 is a wonderful reminder of the benefits that belong to you as a citizen of heaven:

• God forgives and releases you from the punishment of all your sins and iniquities
• He heals all your diseases
• He redeems your life from destruction
• He crowns you with His lovingkindness and tender mercies
• He fills your life with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
• He executes righteousness and justice for you when the enemy tries to oppress you

Even though these benefits belong to you, that doesn’t mean you will never face challenges in this fallen world. When difficulties do come your way, you must, like Paul, stand on your heavenly citizenship and take hold of your rights. You can remind the enemy that you are not bound by the laws of darkness but governed by the authority and promises of heaven. You may walk through the fire, but God’s Word promises that you will not be consumed.

Here are a few practical ways to apply this truth in your life:

1. Begin by studying the promises of God in His Word and take note of what belongs to you as His child.

2. Write down the benefits and blessings of being a citizen of heaven and thank God for them daily.

3. When challenges come, take your heavenly stand out loud with confidence.

4. Surround yourself with other believers who will help you stay grounded in your identity in Christ.

5. Pray for wisdom and strength to walk as a true ambassador of God’s Kingdom in every area of your life.

Today I want to encourage you to live with confidence in your heavenly citizenship. God has given you authority, promises, and benefits that cannot be revoked. When life tries to shake you or make you doubt your place, remember that you belong to the Kingdom of God. You have access to peace, healing, provision, and victory, not because of your earthly status, but because of your identity in Christ Jesus. Walk boldly as a citizen of heaven and watch God’s promises work powerfully in your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 22:22-30

22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 

23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 

24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Journal:

• What does it mean to you personally to be a citizen of heaven?
• Which of the benefits from Psalm 103 stands out to you the most today?
• How can you remind yourself daily of your heavenly rights when challenges arise?
• What is one promise of God that you can stand on this week?

Clothed for His glory

_{The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth, clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. ~ Exodus 39:1}

Have you ever thought about what it means to be clothed in purpose? In Exodus 39, we see a beautiful description of how the priests’ garments were created. Every thread, color, and gem had meaning. The blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, the gold woven through the fabric, and the stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel were not just decorative details but they represented God’s presence, His holiness, and His care for His people. Nothing was ordinary about what they wore because their garments symbolized a sacred calling.

Most of the time, I feel unqualified for what God is calling me to do. I am always prepared to lead in ministry, yet I often wonder if I truly have what it takes. I don’t always feel “put together” enough, and at times, I am more aware of my flaws than my faith. One moment that continues to anchor me happened during morning prayer when I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper quietly in my heart, “You are clothed in My righteousness.” That memory has stayed with me and keeps me grounded whenever I feel overwhelmed or underqualified. Now I know that it’s not about my ability, but about His covering. Just like the priests in Exodus 39 were set apart by what they wore, God reminded me that He has already equipped me with everything I need to serve Him in whatever He calls me to do

This truth is just as real for you today. As a follower of Christ Jesus, you are clothed in His righteousness and purpose. You may not wear garments of gold and linen, but you carry the presence of God wherever you go. He has covered you with grace, strength, and wisdom for every assignment He gives you. The way you serve, love, and lead are all part of how He displays His glory through your life.

Here are some practical ways to apply this truth in your life:

• Begin your day by thanking God for clothing you in His righteousness and purpose.
• When insecurity or doubt creeps in, remind yourself of who you are in Christ.
• Walk into every situation knowing that you are a representative of God’s presence.
• Use your gifts with confidence, trusting that God has prepared you for this moment.
• Surround yourself with others who help you stay focused on your identity in Him.

Today I want to encourage you to see yourself as clothed for His glory. You are not defined by your past or your imperfections, but by the grace and calling of God upon your life. Just as the priests in Exodus 39 were adorned with garments of purpose, you are covered in the beauty of His presence and equipped for every good work He has prepared for you. Step forward in confidence, knowing that you wear the covering of the One who called you.

Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 39

1 The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth—clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Making the Ephod

2 Bezalel made the ephod of finely woven linen and embroidered it with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 

3 He made gold thread by hammering out thin sheets of gold and cutting it into fine strands. With great skill and care, he worked it into the fine linen with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread.

4 The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. 

5 The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

6 They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved. 

7 He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

8 Bezalel made the chestpiece with great skill and care. He made it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. 

9 He made the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square. 

10 They mounted four rows of gemstones on it. The first row contained a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald. 

11 The second row contained a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. 

12 The third row contained an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst. 

13 The fourth row contained a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones were set in gold filigree. 

14 Each stone represented one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe was engraved on it like a seal.

15 To attach the chestpiece to the ephod, they made braided cords of pure gold thread. 

16 They also made two settings of gold filigree and two gold rings and attached them to the top corners of the chestpiece. 

17 They tied the two gold cords to the rings on the chestpiece. 

18 They tied the other ends of the cords to the gold settings on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod. 

19 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the inside edges of the chestpiece next to the ephod. 

20 Then they made two more gold rings and attached them to the front of the ephod, below the shoulder-pieces, just above the knot where the decorative sash was fastened to the ephod. 

21 They attached the bottom rings of the chestpiece to the rings on the ephod with blue cords. In this way, the chestpiece was held securely to the ephod above the decorative sash. All this was done just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

22 Bezalel made the robe that is worn with the ephod from a single piece of blue woven cloth, 

23 with an opening for Aaron’s head in the middle of it. The opening was reinforced with a woven collar so it would not tear. 

24 They made pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe. 

25 They also made bells of pure gold and placed them between the pomegranates along the hem of the robe, 

26 with bells and pomegranates alternating all around the hem. This robe was to be worn whenever the priest ministered before the Lord, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

27 They made tunics for Aaron and his sons from fine linen cloth. 

28 The turban and the special head coverings were made of fine linen, and the undergarments were also made of finely woven linen. 

29 The sashes were made of finely woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

30 Finally, they made the sacred medallion—the badge of holiness—of pure gold. They engraved it like a seal with these words: Holy to the Lord. 

31 They attached the medallion with a blue cord to Aaron’s turban, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

32 And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

33 And they brought the entire Tabernacle to Moses: the sacred tent with all its furnishings, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts, and bases;

34 the tent coverings of tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; the inner curtain to shield the Ark;

35 the Ark of the Covenant and its carrying poles; the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;

36 the table and all its utensils; the Bread of the Presence;

37 the pure gold lampstand with its symmetrical lamp cups, all its accessories, and the olive oil for lighting;

38 the gold altar; the anointing oil and fragrant incense; the curtain for the entrance of the sacred tent;

39 the bronze altar; the bronze grating and its carrying poles and utensils; the washbasin with its stand;

40 the curtains for the walls of the courtyard; the posts and their bases; the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the ropes and tent pegs; all the furnishings to be used in worship at the Tabernacle;

41 the beautifully stitched garments for the priests to wear while ministering in the Holy Place—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests.

42 So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. 

43 Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.

Journal:

• What has God clothed me with in this season?
• How can I walk in greater confidence knowing that He has equipped me for His purpose?

The Beauty of obedience

Next Bezalel used acacia wood to construct the square altar of burnt offering. It was 7-1/2 feet wide, 7-1/2 feet long, and 4-1/2 feet high. He made horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar were all one piece. He overlaid the altar with bronze. ~ Exodus 38:1-2

Have you ever wondered if the small, unseen things you do for God really matter? It’s easy to think that only the big moments or public acts of faith have impact, but Exodus 38 reminds us that every act of obedience holds value in God’s eyes. In this chapter, the Israelites continued to build the tabernacle, carefully crafting each piece exactly as the Lord had instructed. From the bronze altar to the courtyard, every detail mattered because it was part of a holy purpose.

I’ve always held positions where I served faithfully in what felt like a background role, and honestly, that’s where I’ve always been most comfortable. Week after week, I am happy to work behind the scenes, organizing, preparing, and supporting others, without much recognition and never really considering the importance of the work. It isn’t glamorous work, but I know it is needed. Over time, God has shown me that even those unseen moments mattered deeply to Him. Those quiet acts of service are like pieces of bronze in His greater structure. Just as every element of the tabernacle contributed to creating a place for His presence, my willingness to serve in the background is part of making space for God to move in the lives of others.

God still works this way today. He uses our faithfulness in the ordinary to build something extraordinary. Every time you serve, give, or show kindness, you are helping to establish a place for His presence to dwell. The altar in Exodus 38 represented worship, surrender, and sacrifice. In the same way, your obedience, no matter how simple or seemingly insignificant, becomes a form of worship when offered with a willing heart.

Here are some practical ways to apply this truth in your life:

• Start by giving your daily work to God, no matter how routine it feels. Invite Him to use it for His purpose.
• Be faithful in what He has already placed in your hands. Small acts of obedience prepare you for greater opportunities.
• Offer your time, gifts, and resources with gratitude, not out of obligation. God values your willing spirit more than the size of your offering.
• Notice the ways God is using your efforts to touch others, even if you don’t see results right away. Trust that He is working through your obedience.
• Take a moment to thank God for the privilege of being part of His work. Every contribution matters to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to see your obedience as sacred. Whether your service is noticed or not, it is seen by God and carries eternal weight. Just like the builders of the tabernacle, your hands are helping to create a place where His presence can dwell. Keep building, keep serving, and keep offering what you have with a willing heart. God is taking every piece you bring and using it to form something beautiful for His glory.

Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 38

1 Next Bezalel used acacia wood to construct the square altar of burnt offering. It was 7-1/2 feet wide, 7-1/2 feet long, and 4-1/2 feet high. 

2 He made horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar were all one piece. He overlaid the altar with bronze. 

3 Then he made all the altar utensils of bronze—the ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans. 

4 Next he made a bronze grating and installed it halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge. 

5 He cast four rings and attached them to the corners of the bronze grating to hold the carrying poles. 

6 He made the poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 

7 He inserted the poles through the rings on the sides of the altar. The altar was hollow and was made from planks.

8 Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

9 Then Bezalel made the courtyard, which was enclosed with curtains made of finely woven linen. On the south side the curtains were 150 feet long. 

10 They were held up by twenty posts set securely in twenty bronze bases. He hung the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 

11 He made a similar set of curtains for the north side—150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. He hung the curtains with silver hooks and rings. 

12 The curtains on the west end of the courtyard were 75 feet long, hung with silver hooks and rings and supported by ten posts set into ten bases. 

13 The east end, the front, was also 75 feet long.

14 The courtyard entrance was on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side was 22-1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases. 

15 The curtain on the left side was also 22-1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases. 

16 All the curtains used in the courtyard were made of finely woven linen. 

17 Each post had a bronze base, and all the hooks and rings were silver. The tops of the posts of the courtyard were overlaid with silver, and the rings to hold up the curtains were made of silver.

18 He made the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard of finely woven linen, and he decorated it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. It was 30 feet long, and its height was 7-1/2 feet, just like the curtains of the courtyard walls. 

19 It was supported by four posts, each set securely in its own bronze base. The tops of the posts were overlaid with silver, and the hooks and rings were also made of silver.

20 All the tent pegs used in the Tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.

21 This is an inventory of the materials used in building the Tabernacle of the Covenant. The Levites compiled the figures, as Moses directed, and Ithamar son of Aaron the priest served as recorder. 

22 Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

23 He was assisted by Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, a craftsman expert at engraving, designing, and embroidering with blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth.

24 The people brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. This gold was used throughout the Tabernacle.

25 The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver, as measured by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. 

26 This silver came from the tax collected from each man registered in the census. (The tax is one beka, which is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel.) The tax was collected from 603,550 men who had reached their twentieth birthday. 

27 The hundred bases for the frames of the sanctuary walls and for the posts supporting the inner curtain required 7,500 pounds of silver, about 75 pounds for each base. 

28 The remaining 45 pounds of silver was used to make the hooks and rings and to overlay the tops of the posts.

29 The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze, 

30 which was used for casting the bases for the posts at the entrance to the Tabernacle, and for the bronze altar with its bronze grating and all the altar utensils. 

31 Bronze was also used to make the bases for the posts that supported the curtains around the courtyard, the bases for the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard, and all the tent pegs for the Tabernacle and the courtyard.

Journal:

• What small act of obedience is God calling me to today?
• How can I offer it with joy knowing it contributes to His greater work?

Crafted with Purpose

Next Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. He overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it.  ~ Exodus 37:1-2

Have you ever noticed how God pays attention to details? From the colors of a sunset to the design of a snowflake, His craftsmanship is unmatched. In Exodus 37, Bezalel, a man filled with the Spirit of God, carefully builds the ark of the covenant, the table, the lampstand, and the altar of incense. Every piece was made with precision and care, exactly as God commanded. Nothing was random, nothing was rushed. It was sacred work, done with skill and intention.

There have been times in my life where I felt like I was in the middle of construction.  Even years where God was shaping me in ways I didn’t always understand. I remember serving in a role where I was unseen, doing tasks that felt small and insignificant. But as time went on, I began to see how those moments were building something inside me. Just like Bezalel’s craftsmanship, God was forming something valuable within me through my obedience in the small things. He was teaching me to pay attention to His details, to follow His design instead of my own.

The same is true for you. God is crafting something beautiful in your life. Even when it feels like the pieces don’t make sense, He knows exactly what He is building. Just as the ark and the lampstand had a purpose in the tabernacle, the work God is doing in you has purpose in His plan. Your obedience, your diligence, and your willingness to do what He asks, no matter how simple or unseen, are shaping something eternal.

Here are some practical ways to apply this passage:

• Take time each day to invite God into your work, whether it’s in ministry, at home, or on the job. Let Him guide your hands and heart.
• Do small tasks with excellence and care, knowing that faithfulness in the little things pleases God.
• Ask God to fill you with His Spirit like Bezalel so that you can carry out His work with wisdom, skill, and creativity.
• Be patient with the process. God’s craftsmanship takes time, and He is working even when you cannot see the full design.
• Look for opportunities to use your gifts to serve others. Your obedience could be the key that brings light or beauty into someone else’s life.

Today I want to encourage you to trust the work God is doing in and through you. Even the smallest act of obedience is part of His greater design. You are not just going through motions, you are being shaped by the Master Craftsman Himself. Let Him continue to form you with purpose and precision, knowing that when He finishes His work, it will be something beautiful and lasting.

Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 37

1 Next Bezalel made the Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 

2 He overlaid it inside and outside with pure gold, and he ran a molding of gold all around it. 

3 He cast four gold rings and attached them to its four feet, two rings on each side. 

4 Then he made poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 

5 He inserted the poles into the rings at the sides of the Ark to carry it.

6 Then he made the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—from pure gold. It was 45 inches long and 27 inches wide. 

7 He made two cherubim from hammered gold and placed them on the two ends of the atonement cover. 

8 He molded the cherubim on each end of the atonement cover, making it all of one piece of gold. 

9 The cherubim faced each other and looked down on the atonement cover. With their wings spread above it, they protected it.

10 Then Bezalel made the table of acacia wood, 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 

11 He overlaid it with pure gold and ran a gold molding around the edge. 

12 He decorated it with a 3-inch border all around, and he ran a gold molding along the border. 

13 Then he cast four gold rings for the table and attached them at the four corners next to the four legs. 

14 The rings were attached near the border to hold the poles that were used to carry the table. 

15 He made these poles from acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 

16 Then he made special containers of pure gold for the table—bowls, ladles, jars, and pitchers—to be used in pouring out liquid offerings.

17 Then Bezalel made the lampstand of pure, hammered gold. He made the entire lampstand and its decorations of one piece—the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. 

18 The lampstand had six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. 

19 Each of the six branches had three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 

20 The center stem of the lampstand was crafted with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. 

21 There was an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extended from the center stem, all made of one piece. 

22 The almond buds and branches were all of one piece with the center stem, and they were hammered from pure gold.

23 He also made seven lamps for the lampstand, lamp snuffers, and trays, all of pure gold. 

24 The entire lampstand, along with its accessories, was made from 75 pounds of pure gold.

25 Then Bezalel made the incense altar of acacia wood. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself. 

26 He overlaid the top, sides, and horns of the altar with pure gold, and he ran a gold molding around the entire altar. 

27 He made two gold rings and attached them on opposite sides of the altar below the gold molding to hold the carrying poles. 

28 He made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

29 Then he made the sacred anointing oil and the fragrant incense, using the techniques of a skilled incense maker.

Journal:

• What area of my life is God shaping right now?
• How can I trust His process even when I cannot see the full picture?