Lives Offered to God

0:00All the Israelites, men, and women who were willing brought to the Lord free will offerings. Exodus 35.29 Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. Lives offered to God was written by Karen Pimpo and read by Tony Collier. Exodus 35.29 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought in offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men, and women alike came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds, broaches, earrings, rings, and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, or goat hair,

1:04ram skins, dyed red, or the other durable leather brought them. Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had a casual wood for any part of the work brought it. Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun, blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, and all the women who were willing and had the skills spun the goat hair. The leaders brought onic stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord free will offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do. Lives offered to God, written by Karen Pimpo. I am thankful to God for his goodness, reads the plaque,

2:04and permitting me to have a part in building this broad thoroughfare as a frame to the beautiful picture which he created. This inscription is attributed to highway engineer Samuel Christopher Lancaster in 1915. It stands at a beautiful scenic overlook on the highway he designed, a road that takes drivers along the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge, with forests, waterfalls, and rocky cliffs. It's tempting to take credit for our resources and accomplishments, or use them to bring ourselves praise. What would it look like instead to think of them as a lowly frame around God's masterpiece? One example is when Moses invited the Israelites to bring gifts to build a temple in Exodus 35. Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them contributed what they had. Precious metal and stone, linen, leather, wood, spices, and oil. These costly goods were offered from willing hearts to fulfill what God had commanded.

3:06Some master craftsmen were especially gifted, but everyone could contribute something like the women who skillfully spun goat hair. What mattered most then and today is the posture of the giver's heart, from what you have, take and offering for the Lord. That's when our resources are put to their best use. Let's pray. Lord, help us to see all we have as gifts from you. May we offer up what we have and service to you to bless others and encourage them. May our offerings reflect hearts fully surrender to you. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. What resources are at your disposal? How could they be used to bring praise to God?