Numbers 1:1-2:9 ; Psalm 33:12-22 ; Luke 1:26-38 "Wagon Wheel Farm Pond" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Panel Today we begin the book of Numbers – the fourth book of Moses.  Genesis is the book of beginnings ; Exodus is the book of redemption .  Leviticus, the book we just completed, is the book of worship , whereas the book of Numbers is the book about counting the people, testing the people, and the people wandering in the wilderness .  The Israelites have be

Leviticus 26:14–27:34 ; Proverbs 7:1-5 ; Luke 1:1-25 "They Neither Toil Nor Spin ..." © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor on Paper Once again today, all our readings contain incredible truths for us to apply to our hearts and lives.  Earlier in Exodus, and here in the book of Leviticus thus far, we have observed God’s sovereign power against disobedience.  As we come to the end of Leviticus, I think it is sad that this book is the least read book of all the B

Leviticus 25:1–26:13 ; Psalm 33:1-11 ; Mark 16 "Er Ist Auferstanden" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Acrylic on Canvas Our readings today reflect the complete, unfailing love of God for us beyond all our capacity for understanding.  From eternity past, God designed and planned to remove us from our slavery to sin to a place of forgiveness , freedom , and fellowship  – enabling us to rejoice and to serve Him.  I am amazed how contemporary man fights so strongly against the

Leviticus 23-24 ; Psalm 32 ; Mark 15:33-47 "Still Life With Straw Hat" © by Terri L. Stricker - Oil on Canvas Today’s readings focus on the topic of forgiveness .  We see this clearly in Leviticus 23-24 which emphasizes the different kinds of feasts, sacrifices, and offerings that – under the law – were necessary to bring Israel back into a right relationship with God.  “These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed time

Leviticus 21-22 ; Psalm 31:19-24 ; Mark 15:1-32 "Boxes, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper Leviticus 21-22 begins with God’s revelations about His particular rules for the priesthood. These regulations include maintaining ceremonial cleanliness regarding the death of relatives.  A priest might become unclean for the death of a close family member (i.e., mother, father, brother, son, or daughter, etc., cf., verses 1-2).  They were not to shave their

Leviticus 19-20 ; Proverbs 6:30-35 ; Mark 14:43-72 "Other Side of the Hill" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Felt Tip Marker on Paper Today, in each of our passages, we read practical wisdom to which we should all attend and commit to our everyday practices.  For example, in Leviticus 19-20, we recognize that God is now giving the Israelites a series of criminal laws after having already covered ritual laws  regarding sacrifices and offerings, religious laws  that governe

Leviticus 17-18 ; Psalm 31:9-18 ; Mark 14:17-42 "Girl With Random Thoughts" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pen & Ink on Notebook Paper Yesterday, we saw how Leviticus reveals that – no matter how hard we try – we just cannot keep God’s requirements for obedience or for holiness.  This is why God provided the annual Day of Atonement for the Israelites – a day that contemplates God’s then-future provision for His sacrifice of the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the