Happy New Month, Beloved!

It’s quite surreal seeing how this year is jetting off. I hope it has been good so far. I also pray that this new month will be one where the glory of the Lord will seen in every area of our lives. AMEN!

I want to acknowledge my readers, those that have been here and those that are just joining the PT train. I appreciate you for being a part of this journey, I also appreciate your suggestions and questions. Thank you all for your comments, requests and everything. God bless you.

As usual, once the month ends and a new month begins, it’s our tradition to recap most of the lessons of the last month here. Just in case you are wondering why I run such a segment, here are my reasons:

• I believe that every day that passes is an opportunity to grow, and growth occurs in a place of conscious observance of our daily life. Personally, I believe that as I request for the Holy Spirit to help me every day, I get to learn from the experiences that I go through on a daily basis and new revelations from my bible study.
• I put them in one post because most times, one point is not lengthy enough to make a post. It only makes sense to put them in one.

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT AND JESUS

Over the past weeks, I studied the book of Leviticus and for every time, I was just in awe of Jesus Christ. When [‘when’ not ‘if’, because I am sure you’ll study it *wink*] you study the book of Leviticus, you will have an in-depth understanding of why I feel this way. The whole book of Leviticus was very eye-opening, but I could not help but single out chapter 16. It narrates how the Day of Atonement took place. I will advise that even if you are not reading the whole book now, please read chapter 16 for the time being; as I cannot comprehensively talk about it in a ‘Wisdom Nuggets’ segment.

There were so many procedures when it came to forgiveness of sin. Starting from the procedure for Aaron when he enters the Holy Place, the Absolution-Offering, and the Whole-Burnt-Offering. Specific details were paid to how the bulls and goats were slaughtered, when and how the blood of the animal was sprinkled, who was in the Tent of Meeting when Aaron goes in to make Atonement, etc.

A Day of Atonement was one where the sins of the Israelites were cleansed by God; and the interesting thing about the Day of Atonement is that it occurred once a year. Can you imagine having to wait for one Sabbath in a year for your sins to be forgiven? Having to recount all the sins committed for the year? Compared to now that through the death of Christ, his blood shed for us; we are able to approach God and our sins are forgiven instantly. God does not remember them again. Halleluyah!

Hebrews 9 v 12 [MSG] enlightens us further:

He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, INSTEAD USING HIS OWN BLOOD AS THE PRICE TO SET US FREE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

The thought of Christ’s love and sacrifice makes me leap for joy. I love how Eugene H. Peterson  described the effect of reflecting on committed sins on the day of atonement….

 Sin does two things to us: It defiles us and it destines us for judgment. When we reflect upon our sins, we become despondent about the messiness, the aimlessness, the squalid interior of our lives.. .

Thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice on the cross takes away the sting of reflecting upon committed sins, as we hold onto the assurance that His blood shed for us; has indeed delivered us from the stench of sin. Hallelujah!

GOD MAKES PROVISION BEFORE A NEED ARISES

As a person with a legal background, I am prone to analyzing situations. Sometimes, this part of me slips into my spiritual life- I want to understand how God could have worked this and that out; but I never come to a conclusion, maybe because I need to always remember that God’s ways are not man’s ways. That is why He is God, and I am man.

I’ve experienced God coming through for me, making provisions and all. But I have to say that I was only able to grasp the understanding that God makes my need available even before I recognize that I have a need. Wow!

This reminds me of Abraham, when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22. When God told him not to lay a hand on Isaac, there was a ram in the thicket. From this experience, we get to know God as Jehovah Yireh [God sees to it].

So when you read the bible and God says ‘I will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ [Philippians 4:19 KJV]; believe Him totally. Take a step further and believe it this way: God has supplied all my needs even before they arise!

GOD CAN USE ANYONE TO SPEAK TO YOU

I always make emphasis on the need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, because it is very important in our daily walk with Christ. As children of God, we cannot afford to be rigid in our daily walk with God. I have come to understand that God uses anyone to help and speak to His children. It only takes a sensitive heart and discerning spirit to be able to acknowledge God’s signs/words.

If at any point, you have thought that when you ask God for a sign, and that sign or help comes from someone who does not believe in God, then it’s not from God; then you are wrong.

In the month of March, I was able to experience God using both a believer and ‘unbeliever’ to speak to me, reaffirming His word in a time I needed clarity. Of course, the ‘unbeliever’ felt he was just talking, but by God’s grace, I was able to discern that it was not just this person speaking, it was God speaking.

Remember the story of Rahab in Joshua 2, a harlot in Jericho. She hid the two spies that were sent to Jericho. She also said something very profound: I know that God has given you the land….vs 8. Wow! How did she know that?

If we write off people just because they do not know Christ, we miss out on God’s plan. What if the Jesus in you, is what that person needs to come in contact with, to know Christ as well?

So yes to sensitivity to the Holy Spirit!

That’s all for the month of March from me. Now, let’s have yours. What lessons did you learn in the month of March? And which of the nuggets above, resonates with you?

Have a promise-manifestation April!

Happy Easter Precious Thinkers!

PT QUOTE OF THE DAY!

You worship a God who provides your needs even before you notice the needs.

Missed my last post?

Missed the last Wisdom Nuggets?

Have any suggestions/questions: preciousthoughts2013@gmail.com

Princess Okechukwu!