January 30, Exodus 29:1-31:18 (part 2)

Exodus 30:19-22, 29-33

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁹ There Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet.

²⁰ When they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord,

²¹ So they shall wash their hands and their feet, lest they die; it shall be a perpetual statute for [Aaron] and his descendants throughout their generations.

²² Moreover, the Lord said to Moses,

²⁹ You shall sanctify (separate) them, that they may be most holy; whoever and whatever touches them must be holy (set apart to God).

³⁰ And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify (separate) them, that they may minister to Me as priests.

³¹ And say to the Israelites, This is a holy anointing oil [symbol of the Holy Spirit], sacred to Me alone throughout your generations.

³² It shall not be poured upon a layman’s body, nor shall you make any other like it in composition; it is holy, and you shall hold it sacred.

³³ Whoever compounds any like it or puts any of it upon an outsider shall be cut off from his people.

The details that God laid out astound me! He definitely cares about the details!

"The tabernacle is more than just a temporary place for the Israelites to worship God: it foreshadows a more permanent temple to be built in future years, and later a spiritual temple to be known as the church. Therefore its symbolism is rich indeed. The mercy seat above the ark, for example, suggests the grace which will be given to cover all law. The blood of the animal sacrifice looks forward to a future time when the Messiah will be slain as the Lamb of God. The veil which separates man from God will one day be torn apart by this spiritual High Priest who will enter that holiest of holies - heaven itself - and there atone for the sins of all mankind. And all who believe in God and obey the laws of His covenant will become as priests, wearing the priestly garments of righteous character and offering up their very lives to God's service." The Daily Bible commentary

I am striving to be that living sacrifice in my daily life. But am I willing to give ALL? 

IRAN: ARREST DETAILS REVEALED

"Farshid Fathi, an Iranian Christian pastor, is beginning the third year of a six-year prison sentence on a conviction of “being chief-director of foreign organizations in Iran and gathering funds for these organizations.” Farshid is one of several believers arrested over the past few years in the Iranian government’s attempts to suppress Christianity. The details of his arrest were only recently released.

At about 6 a.m. on Dec. 26, 2010, security officials wearing plain clothes surrounded the home of Farshid’s father. When Farshid’s father opened the door to go to work, they forced their way into the home. They woke everyone in the house, including Farshid and his family who had stayed there Christmas night.

The authorities began a thorough search of the house. They questioned everyone present and, after completing the search, allowed Farshid to take his daughter to school.

“At the same time, another group of government agents attacked Farshid Fathi's own house to arrest him, not knowing they were not home,” a source told Mohabat News. “They broke into the house illegally, destroying the entrance door, and searched everywhere confiscating whatever they thought could be used as evidence against Mr. Fathi, including his photos, flash drives, camera memory cards, the hard drive of his PC, laptop, documents, and even some money and his gas card.”

After authorities from the two raids communicated, they realized they had accidentally allowed Farshid to leave his father’s house. Livid over the mistake and sure Farshid had fled, the agents threatened the family with “harsh consequences” if he did not return.

But an hour later, Farshid did return. Authorities then beat him, insulted him and handcuffed him before transferring him to the Ministry of Intelligence building in Tehran. From there, he was taken to Evin prison, where he spent several months in solitary confinement.

A Christian prisoner who was Farshid’s cellmate for a few weeks asked Farshid why he returned home, knowing that the agents were waiting to arrest him. “I couldn’t leave my wife and children alone,” he replied.

Farshid’s faith remains strong even in prison. In December, he responded to the Newtown, Conn., tragedy by writing the following letter to parents of the victims:

To the fathers and mothers who lost their precious children in the Connecticut tragedy,

I really don't know what word in the world could comfort you, what relief could be helpful for your broken heart, and which hand could clean the tears which fall from your cheeks. I just want to say: I am so sorry and you are in my prayers.

I am sure these high walls cannot stop my prayers for you. Before this tragedy happened, I was thinking about my suffering that I'm going through because of my Lord Jesus Christ, especially being far from my lovely kids. But when I imagine how hard your pain is I forget my sufferings. Because I know by God's grace I will see my kids at the latest in 2017 when I come out from prison. But unfortunately you have to wait a bit longer. So I would like to express my deepest sorrow for your loss.

I believe we will have enough time in heaven with our lovely children forever. There is no gun there, there is no prison, and there is no pain." Voice of the Marters magazine

"In today’s persecuted church, children at times become the targets.

The tragedy of having a son killed or a daughter assaulted because of your Christian witness is difficult to comprehend. As parents, it is far more difficult to see our children suffer than to face it ourselves.

As we consider the little ones God has entrusted into our care, may we never take for granted or dismiss the high calling of parenting. Likewise, may our lives daily demonstrate to them the cost of picking up our cross and following Christ while assuring them that our trust lies fully and solely in him.

Though beyond our comprehension, we trust that God will work even these unimaginable evils for his good purposes. May part of that good be the strengthening of our own faith and Christian witness as we stand with our Christian family who suffer these evils.

History is filled with stories of families, including children, who have suffered heroically for their Christian witness. The stories continue today. What will history write of our families?" Voice of the Martyrs Feb. 2013

These are just the opening paragraphs of an article on this publication. The article was very disturbing to me. In an effort to stop people from spreading the Gospel in these countries, children are now being openly targeted.

Folks we need to pray more than ever before for these dear saints of God. They are spreading the Gospel in spite of unbelievable persecution!

"Dear God I pray for those around the world who are boldly proclaiming You even though it is costing them their lives and also the lives of their children. Give me this kind of a burden my God. Break my heart with what breaks your heart, oh God. Transform my mind, oh God. Give me this kind of boldness. I desire to be a living sacrifice for You. I give You all the glory and all the praise, In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen."