PURE AND WITHOUT DEFECT
Wk 24 Day 2

Leviticus 1:3, 2:1; 3:1
³ " 'If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD.
¹ " 'When someone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it
¹ " 'If someone's offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the LORD an animal without defect.


These are three of the five kinds of offering done by the Israelites. Each of these offerings are specific to its purpose:

• Burnt offering - voluntary act of worship; atonement for unintentional sin in general; expression of devotion, commitment and complete surrender to God.
• Grain offering - voluntary act of worship; recognition of God's goodness and provisions; devotion to God.
• Fellowship offering - voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving and fellowship (included a communal meal).
• Sin offering - mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin; confession of sin; forgiveness of sin; cleansing from defilement.
• Guilt offering - mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution [restoration to its former state]; cleansing from defilement; make restitution; pay 20% fine.

Though each one has its specific purpose, all of them have a common denominator - any offering must be pure and without defect. These 3 are voluntary offerings to God. The rest are mandatory. These are indeed strict orders. They followed these for years and performed them "religiously".

What stands out to me today is that each of these offerings were given to God pure and without defect. Yet my question remains, how many of us have given God our remains instead as an offering to Him? How many times have I given GOD my best? An offering that is pure and without defect? However that means in today's day and age, I must remember that God deserves more than just my extras. He deserves what is best, pure and without defect. I may not have to offering anything for my sin's atonement [because Christ has already done that for me!], but I must keep the principle of giving God my best offering.

// I must give God my best with the things he has entrusted me with - my family, Julia, my ministries, my friends, and special people in life. This includes my attitude, my expressions, the way I talk to them, and the way I deal with things. All of my life is an offering to God, thus, I must keep myself "pure and without defect" that I may be pleasing to Him.

:: Oh Lord, there are times that it is so hard to be "pure and without defect" esp towards the people I don't want to deal with. I pray that you will help me to be a living sacrifice and a living offering to you on a daily basis. Help me to live out my life in accordance to what pleases You. Please give me the strength, courage, and wisdom to keep moving in my faith. Increase my faith as learn from life's lessons and esp from Your Word. I offer this day to You. May it be "pure and without defect. " In Jesus' name, amen.