Did God really say he is pulling for you?

Yes … yes he did.

Early in his career as leader of Jewish slaves, God said to Moses and the people, “I will be with you.” Exodus 3:12.

“I AM!” Exodus 3:14.

“You will plunder …” Exodus 3:22.

“I have promised to bring you up out of your misery and into a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3:17.

Then much later God, working through Jesus, said, “I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Often we think we are alone, that nothing we do matters — that our efforts are a waste of time, a waste of money. But if God is for you, if you have exchanged your life for the life of Christ, then when you are doing the thing he called you to do, he is pulling for you. You may not see your efforts rewarded immediately. You may not hear his voice or see circumstances change, but he is working on your behalf.

Moses and God’s people heard these promises from God, but outwardly nothing changed. They remained slaves in Egypt. In fact, over the next year their conditions grew worse.

In what way do you wish God was pulling for you? Ask for his help.

“Lord, please be with me today. Be my God today. Be the great I AM that stands for me against my enemies. Take plunder from my enemy, Satan, and provide for my daily needs. Bring me out of this land, these circumstances, and lead me into your expansive kingdom. Finally, Father, at the end of each day, each week, and my life, give me rest in you.”

Does God allow us to devote others to his service?

Yes … yes he does.

Or he did. Here is what God says: “Nothing that a man devotes to the Lord—not even a man—may be redeemed. Everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:28

This is how one mother offered her child to the Lord’s service:
After he was weaned, Hannah took the boy with her, young as he was … and brought the boy to Eli and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:21-28

“If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord involving the valuation of persons, then the valuation” is as such:

A male age 20-60, 20 ounces of silver
A female age 20-60, 12 ounces of silver
A male age 5-20, 8 ounces of silver
A female age 5-20, 4 ounces of silver
A male age i month to 5 years, 2 ounces of silver
A female age i month to 5 years, 1.25 ounces of silver
A male age 60 years or older, 6 ounces of silver
A female age 60 years or older, 4 ounces of silver”

These verses provide the redemption value: the value to be paid to redeem someone from God’s service. Christ has already paid this price for us, but what if each of us were to devote those we love to God and pay our Lord their silver valuation as a tithe to affirm our prayer that God would use that individual for his service? Something to ponder.

Did God really say it’s okay to burn the meat?

Yes … yes he did.

In fact, sometimes God burns the meat. Here is how it happened. “Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.” Leviticus 9:24

Now to be clear, the people were participating in the sacrifice of the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, so this was not your normal summer cookout. For the family and friends gathered around the tent of meeting, this was a sacred event. But still … God scorched the meat and the people rejoiced.

So for all you backyard chefs out there, the next time you burn the meat and someone complains, remind them that God burned the burgers and guests applauded. Then suggest they try your wife’s green pea tofu dip. After a few chips dipped in what looks and tastes like Play Dough, maybe burned hotdogs won’t seem so bad.

Did God Really Say Bald is the new “clean” look?

Yes … yes he did.

Sort of.

What God said was this: “When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean. If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean. But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease.”Leviticus 13:40-42

So if every hair on your head is numbered, as Christ claimed (Luke 12:7), and all your hairs are missing, take it as confirming sign from God that you are clean. You will still need to shower and bathe, but you can skip the shampoo and rinse.