When the temperatures spike, our response must shift. ☀️ For most of us, a heatwave is an inconvenience—a reason to adjust the thermostat, complain about the humidity, and stay indoors. But for those living on the margins, extreme weather is a life-threatening crisis. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to the Preferential Option for the Poor. This principle insists that the needs of the vulnerable must always come first. When the heat index rises, our moral obligation to our neighbors rises right along with it. Proactive Relief as a Matter of Dignity Responding to a heatwave isn't just about performing a nice act of charity; it is a fundamental recognition of human dignity. We cannot wait for the vulnerable to come to us seeking relief. We must go to them. Providing proactive relief is how we declare that those suffering in the heat are seen, valued, and worthy of immediate care. How to Take Action This Week: Build Hot Weather Bags: Pack gallon Ziploc bags with cold water bottles, electrolyte packets, travel-sized sunscreen, lip balm, and cooling towels or hats. Keep Them Ready: Store these bags in your car or by your front door so you are always equipped to hand them out to those on the streets. Check the Margins: Look out for the unhoused, the elderly without proper AC, and those who labor outdoors in your immediate community. A bottle of cold water handed through a car window in the suffocating heat of the day is more than just hydration. It is incarnational love in action. Let's make sure we are showing up for the most vulnerable among us. 💧 #PreferentialOption #HumanDignity #HeatwaveRelief #CatholicSocialTeaching #ServeThePoor #FaithInAction #CommunityCare

In this episode of A Guy and His Bible, Patrick talks about the growing pressure on Christian athletes to stay quiet, compromise, or simply go along with the culture. https://youtu.be/9LeLiFeXMKg Major League Baseball warned players after Bible verses were written on Pride Night hats. The York Revolution chose to forfeit a game and publicly rebuke players who would not wear Pride Night jerseys. These moments are bigger than baseball. They reveal a deeper spiritual issue: when the world celebrates what God’s Word calls sin, will the Body of Christ remain silent, or will we stand with truth and grace? This is not about hatred. This is not about attacking people. This is about whether Christians are still allowed to live out their convictions publicly, speak the Word of God boldly, and refuse to bow when culture demands conformity. The Bible calls us to speak the truth in love, but it still calls us to speak. Silence is not faithfulness when truth is being pushed aside. As believers, we must be willing to stand firm, not with arrogance, not with cruelty, but with courage, compassion, and conviction. In this video, we look at what these situations say about our culture, the responsibility of Christian athletes, and why the Church must not retreat from the public square. Join the conversation in the comments: How should Christians respond when faith and culture collide? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video as we continue opening God’s Word and applying it to the world around us. 🌐 Stay Connected – A Guy And His Bible Website: https://www.patrickryanlewis.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AGuyAndHisBible LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aguyandhisbible X (Twitter): https://x.com/aguyandhisbible TiTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aguyandhisbible allthingsforHim.pl@gmail.com Text: (681) 534-3585 Venmo / CashApp @PatrickRyanLewis Paypal: https://bit.ly/3TMgPRa Stripe: https://bit.ly/3TL5j8F Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/aguyandhisbible Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AAQACSNG7QKZ?ref_=wl_share #AGuyAndHisBible #ChristianCommentary #MLB #BibleVerses #FaithOverFear #BodyOfChrist #ChristianCourage #SpeakTheTruthInLove #NotAshamed #biblicalworldview https://youtu.be/9LeLiFeXMKg

https://www.redbubble.com/people/tarajohnston23/shop?asc=u Discover bold, colorful, faith-inspired designs from Ashes to Artistry on Redbubble! Explore unique Christian apparel, inspirational graphic tees, Bible verse shirts, artistic mugs, hats, stickers, and motivational faith-based gifts designed to encourage, uplift, and inspire. From retro Christian aesthetics to vibrant original artwork, every design blends creativity, positivity, and meaningful messages of faith. Perfect for believers who love beautiful Christian fashion, colorful art, scripture-inspired products, and unique gifts with purpose. #ChristianApparel #FaithInspired #BibleVerseShirts #ChristianArt #InspirationalDesigns #RedbubbleShop #FaithBasedFashion #ColorfulChristianArt

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. My apologies for not posting this morning. Our house got too hot last night, so we did not sleep well. We had an early start, and when I got home from breakfast with my son-in-law, I mowed our fairly large yard. The yard itself took around three hours, and afterwards I had to see if I could plug the shower with all the yard that had blown into my shirt and glued itself to my skin. By then, it was time to start dinner and chill out for a little bit with the hubby. Now, the upside to me posting at night … I have content, fairly alive content that I have not been able to forget through sleeping or weird dreams distorting it. Hang on to your hats, here we go! As I stated, I mowed our yard today. We have somewhere in the neighborhood of three acres, but trust me, it feels like a lot more. Though the temperature and the wind were manageable when I started, by the time I got to the back forty … the wind had kicked up considerably. I was not overly concerned, since the wind had been a factor the last two times I mowed, and I really did not give it much thought, except that it was keeping me cool. (Remember that last sentence.) When I started to get closer to the back part of the property, I found myself fighting to keep the blades of cut grass or dust particles out of my left eye. <not sure why my left eye was a dirt magnet> If I turned the mower around by going right … a huge waft of cut whatever blew up into my face; however, if I turned around by going left, not so much. Needless to say, I have some very interesting donuts on my back property. Once I finished that portion of the yard, I put the mower away and then headed to the house. I was convinced that most of the cut yard was on me somewhere. (I was right.) In the shower, it came to me and then later confirmed when I was listening to the book of Job. How many times are we going about our merry way and something blows up in our face? We are on the path, the task, the job, the interview … the whatever … thinking we are doing well and BOOM. All kinds of stuff blow into our line of sight, and now we are trying to get the dirt out so that we can see to continue straight. We spend all kinds of time trying to get our eyes to blink to wash out the foreign objects. We play around with the direction to see if we can avoid the huge clouds. We take a time out and look into the wind to get the air to create tears to wash the garbage out of our eyes. Once we get a little bit of vision back, we proceed and finish what we started. When I consistently figured out that I needed to turn one way, to get less blowback in my face, I made it a point to turn that way. My yard looks beautiful. My drain is not clogged. I smell fantastic. My eyes are working just marvelously. In hindsight, I should have recognized that maybe I should have waited for the wind to die down before moving into that area. That grass, though not tall, had last week’s trimmings, which had been quite tall when we mowed. That was the grass storm billowing into my face … Two things I learned about myself today … I am a stubborn cuss that won't even listen to common sense from myself … and … I won't mow that part at least, in the gale force winds of Benton County without a full-face motorcycle helmet to keep the trimmings out of my eyes. In our daily walks, there will be challenges that we must face. We must make decisions and either reap the reward or suffer the consequences. In either case … we learn about ourselves and what we can do … and survive … plus what we can do and maybe make a different choice next time. The nice thing is that no matter which option we pick, He is always with us and there to comfort us. Be blessed. **So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18

Eve- the first mother -mother of all living. Sarah- the promised mother- mother of Isaac Jochebed- the courageous mother- mother of Moses Bithiah- the Egyptian mother- adoptive mother of Moses Hannah- the dedicating mother- mother of Samuel Bathsheba- the persevering mother- mother of Solomon Elizabeth- the miracle mother- mother of John the Baptist Mary- the chosen mother- mother of Jesus Christ Lois- the legacy mother-grandmother of Timothy Eunice- the faithful mother- mother of Timothy All mothers are blessings from Heaven but a godly mother holds the fort and builds up purpose-filled lives. Mothers are chosen vessels to not only bring to life a creation by God Himself but to nurture, care, love, instruct and raise as well. It’s a GREAT privilege and an HOLY ASSIGNMENT. Mothers are not perfect human beings nor should they be expected to. They are, though, the best version of themselves as humans when it comes to their children. It starts much before conception. It starts when a girl is born and raised, not with pressure, comparison, expectations or societal taboos or limitations but when she is raised acknowledging the truth that she is made by God in His image, in His likeness. Such a girl learns her identity well-established in God and grows by kneeling down ONLY to God, day by day. Such a girl then choses to keep herself for the purpose of rearing generations to come. And there, with each day, she raises warriors who are ready to conquer and establish their God given purposes. Remember, God created them even when man was already existing and had everything to his access. God created woman because she had a purpose, not only towards man as a helper but to produce and be fruitful. Remember, the same God created her anatomy with a womb in the first place. The woman’s job continues on her knees before she conceives and after she gives birth. She is on her toes as the toddlers start taking their first steps. She holds her heart in her hands as the child is first exposed to the wild world, even if it is first day in school. She pulls her mat and goes on her knees the moment her teenager starts stating I am grown up. And this goes on as the child navigates life each day. There is no such thing as a perfect mother. Each one of them is perfect for their own children in their own ways. So, let’s not put the weight of performance on them. Let’s honor and pray for strength and create some physical and emotional rest for the years of their “non-stop job” description. There are spiritual mothers apart from birth mothers who helps you grow in your calling. They are the ones who are not only in constant intercession but also for guiding through the times. There might also be mothers who are bit more lost in the grip of the world, not present enough to raise their children or be there for them as they were needed. Some of them may have realized this at later stage and might have been feeling guilty. For others, it might still not be their moment of realization. Let’s also not forget mothers who might be battling with addictions, some with not-so-right choices, some who had to give away their children for adoption, and some who might be regretting the choice of abortion. Then, there are mothers who lost their children, and mothers who offer themselves as foster mothers. Then, there are men who are performing mothers as single parents. Every contribution is worthy of praise. Hats off to the persistent perseverance of mothers who are raising specially-abled children. Let’s also acknowledge the gift of surrogate mothers. Today, let’s pray for them because everyone falls short somewhere. Each of them needs strength, guidance and grace. For every woman needs GOD’s strength to be a mother. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers and mothers to be. #immother #lovingma #todayismothersday #mymomgodsgift #godlymother #Jesusgivenmother #parentcounseling #christiancounselling #christianparent

DID YOU KNOW? AN IMAGE 60 CUBITS HIGH, AND 6 CUBITS WIDE. How Does it Relate to 666? There are lots of world leaders who try to defy God. Nebuchadnezzar obviously didn’t like the dream showing that Babylon would end one day. He wanted the "golden age" to last forever. He decided to make an image all of GOLD and force men to worship it. You can read the story in Daniel 3. Worshipping an image goes against two of God’s commandments, Exodus 20:3 says “Thou shall not have no other gods before me.” Verse 4-5 says "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them….” These three Hebrew men were gathered onto the plain of Dura with the rest of the leaders in Babylon. They were told that at the sound of the music, they should bow to the golden image. Music affects our minds, folks. It is no accident that the king commanded it to be played. It is powerful and the devil uses it today, especially in churches! Music appeals to our lower passions and the Bible tells us not to mix the sacred with the profane, Ezekiel 44:23. It is a polluted cistern and pure water cannot flow from it. As Christians, you can be sure people watch you. And these three men, who were outsiders, were always on someone's radar. When they didn't bow, there were tattletales that ran to the king to let him know. The king was wiling to give them a second chance. Perhaps they did not understand. He wanted to play the music again. They told him not to bother, they understood but would not bow. They were not careful how they replied, but were adamant in their faith that God could help them. They said even if He didn't, they still wouldn't bow. That answer made the king furious and he had a smoking furnace nearby heated up 7 times hotter to give them incentive to kneel. He arrogantly replied that no god could deliver them out of his hand. The guards were commanded to throw them in the fire and those guards perished from the intense heat. But the Hebrews didn’t. Their ropes burned up, but their clothes, hats, hose were fireproof. Their hair was not even singed. The king saw four men in the flames and asked, “Didn’t we throw THREE men in the fire?” Everyone agreed. He saw four and said the fourth looked like the Son of God! You might ask how did a pagan king know what the Son of God looked like? Obviously he had seen Him reflected in the lives of Daniel and these young men—a noble countenance, dignified bearing, and we can imagine Jesus appeared larger and stronger than the Hebrews. Our God is a mighty God! The king commanded Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego “servants of the most High” to come forth. They did. Not even the smell of smoke was upon them. The king was very impressed and blessed God! He commended the men for their trust in God and made a decree that no one could say anything amiss about God. He said there was NO God that could deliver like that! He even promoted them to a higher position. We have previously shown you the parallels between this story and the conflict in Revelation 13 where an IMAGE to the beast is set up and all men are deceived by the miracles and begin to worship the beast. Those who don’t will be given the death decree. The Bible tells us stories like this are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come, 1 Corinthians 10:11. We can be sure people will be watching our actions when laws are made such as we see in Revelation 13. John certainly had this story in mind as he shared the issues of the last days. He uses the same language, an image and a law about worshipping it. The harlot is even called "Mystery, Babylon", reflecting the spiritualism connected with final events. But we would like to share one more detail from Daniel 3:1, the size of the image. It was threescore cubits high (60) and six cubits wide. In Revelation 13 we see the NUMBER of the beast is 666. Why all the 6’s? The Babylonians used the Sexagesimal number system from which comes 60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in a minute, 360 (60×6) degrees in a circle and 60 degrees in each angle of an equilateral triangle. 360 divided by 10 = 36 and 6 times 6 = 36. From this sexagesimal system came the number 666. "Babylon worshiped gods that were associated with the sun, moon, planets and stars involved with astrology. Babylonians were the principle developers of astrology and the pagan priests wore amulets called 'Sigilla Solis', the 'Sun Seal', which symbolized 36 constellations. In this system of worship, they had 36 supreme gods plus the god associated with the sun, which they believed to be the father of all the other gods. They did this by counting their gods and assigning a consecutive number to each of the 36 lesser supreme gods, and then added up these numbers (from 1 to 36) and assigned the sum to the sun god. The sum of the numbers from 1 to 36 totals 666. However, they feared their gods as they believed they were primarily evil, so they made amulets with a 6 x 6 matrix with 1 through 36 on them which are called numeric matrixes, called the 'Magic Square'. The design of the amulets was to protect them from a god, so the amulets had to be as powerful as possible. In order to increase its power, they arranged these numbers so that the sum of any given row, column or diagonal is 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666. This was supposed to provide extra protection since this god’s sum was present on the amulet." Take note that it was also called a SEAL. This is from an article about the 'Magic Square" of the Babylonians and we can see it is still associated with witchcraft today as well as ancient sun worship. Earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets all had circles representing the sun. Don’t wear these things if you are a Christian. If you are a follower of Christ, worship on the day He worshipped, not on the venerable day of the SUN! We are asked to walk as He walked. In Luke 4:16 we can see Christ's custom was to attend synagogue on the Sabbath day. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, and so much the more, as we see the Day approaching. Amen!

📅 BIBLE STUDY — January 30 | Exodus 39 👕 “Clothed in Glory and Prepared for God’s Presence” Introduction Exodus 39 describes the completion of the priestly garments and the final preparations for the Tabernacle. Every detail of this chapter reflects obedience, holiness, and readiness to enter God’s presence. After the people’s generosity (Exodus 35–38), the craftsmen — led by Bezalel — finish making the sacred garments for Aaron and his sons, just as the Lord commanded Moses. These garments — the ephod, breastplate, robe, tunic, turban, and sash — are not just uniforms but symbols of holiness, beauty, and divine calling. Once the garments and furnishings are completed, the workers present everything to Moses for inspection. Scripture records seven times in this chapter the phrase, “as the Lord commanded Moses.” This repetition emphasizes that obedience, not creativity or personal preference, is the foundation of worship. Exodus 39 reminds us that holiness is not about perfection of appearance but about obedience of heart. God calls His people to serve Him with excellence, humility, and complete submission to His Word. Context ● Author: Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ● Setting: The Israelite camp at Mount Sinai, at the completion of the Tabernacle construction ● Purpose: To record the making of the priestly garments and confirm that all work was done according to God’s instructions Verse-by-Verse Overview Verses 1–3 – Making the Holy Garments “Of the blue, purple, and scarlet thread they made garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses. He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs.” The artisans begin making the garments for the priests. Even the fabric and thread are designed with beauty and precision — combining heaven’s colors with gold to reflect God’s glory. Lesson: God’s work deserves excellence. When we serve Him, even the smallest detail should reflect His beauty and holiness. Verses 4–7 – The Shoulder Straps and Onyx Stones “They made shoulder straps for it to couple it together; it was coupled together at its two edges. And the intricately woven band of his ephod that was on it was of the same workmanship, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses. And they set onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold; they were engraved, as signets are engraved, with the names of the sons of Israel. He put them on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The onyx stones engraved with the tribes’ names remind the priest that he carries God’s people on his shoulders before the Lord — a symbol of representation and intercession. Lesson: True leadership carries others in prayer. Every burden lifted to God becomes a testimony of faithfulness and love. Verses 8–14 – The Breastplate with Precious Stones “And he made the breastplate, artistically woven like the workmanship of the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. They made the breastplate square by doubling it; a span was its length and a span its width when doubled. And they set in it four rows of stones: a row with a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald was the first row; the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold settings in their mountings. There were twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel, according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes.” Each precious stone represents one tribe of Israel — uniquely beautiful yet equally valued before God. The priest bears them over his heart when ministering before the Lord. Lesson: Every believer is precious to God. Though unique in color and form, we are all set together in His love and carried close to His heart. Verses 15–21 – The Gold Chains and Fastenings “And they made chains for the breastplate at the ends, like braided cords of pure gold. They also made two settings of gold and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. And they put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings on the ends of the breastplate. The two ends of the two braided chains they fastened in the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front. And they made two rings of gold and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which was on the inward side of the ephod. They made two other gold rings and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod. And they bound the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it would be above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate would not come loose from the ephod, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Every chain and ring connects the breastplate securely to the ephod. Nothing is left to chance — every part has meaning and purpose. Lesson: God’s design holds everything together perfectly. When your life is fastened by His Word, nothing can pull you apart. Verses 22–26 – The Robe of the Ephod “He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. And there was an opening in the middle of the robe, like the opening in a coat of mail, with a woven binding all around the opening, so that it would not tear. They made on the hem of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, and of fine woven linen. And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates on the hem of the robe all around between the pomegranates: a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The robe’s blue color symbolizes heaven, while the alternating bells and pomegranates signify fruitfulness and the sound of testimony — life and witness working together. Lesson: True ministry produces both fruit and sound. Godly character (fruit) and faithful witness (sound) together testify of His presence. Verses 27–29 – The Tunics and Sashes “They made tunics, artistically woven of fine linen, for Aaron and his sons, a turban of fine linen, exquisite hats of fine linen, short trousers of fine woven linen, and a sash of fine woven linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, made by a weaver, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The priests’ garments were beautiful yet modest, representing holiness, dignity, and service. Every detail reminded them that they served a holy God. Lesson: Holiness begins with humility. When we dress and live to honor God, we reflect His purity and respect His presence. Verses 30–31 – The Golden Plate: “Holiness to the Lord” “Then they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And they tied to it a blue cord, to fasten it above on the turban, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The golden plate engraved “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” rested on the priest’s forehead — a constant reminder that every act of service must be pure and devoted to God. Lesson: God’s servants are marked by holiness. Everything we think, say, and do should reflect that we belong to Him completely. Verses 32–33 – Completion of the Tabernacle Work “Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished. And the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord had commanded Moses; so they did. And they brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent and all its furnishings, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets.” After months of faithful labor, the work is finished — every command fulfilled exactly as God instructed. The people bring everything to Moses for inspection. Lesson: Obedience completes God’s vision. When you follow His Word precisely, His glory fills what you’ve built in faith. Verses 34–41 – The Completed Items Presented “The covering of ram skins dyed red, the covering of badger skins, and the veil of the covering; the ark of the Testimony with its poles, and the mercy seat; the table, all its utensils, and the showbread; the pure gold lampstand with its lamps (the lamps set in order, all its utensils, and the oil for light); the gold altar, the anointing oil, and the sweet incense; the screen for the tabernacle door; the bronze altar, its grate of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils; the laver with its base; the hangings of the court, its pillars and its sockets, the screen for the court gate, its cords, and its pegs; all the utensils for the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of meeting; and the garments of ministry, to minister in the holy place — the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister as priests.” Everything God commanded is completed — from the Ark to the garments. Nothing was omitted or changed. The obedience of the people results in divine order. Lesson: When every part of the body of Christ does its part, the work of God is perfected in harmony and beauty. Verses 42–43 – Moses Blesses the Work “According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them.” Moses inspects the completed Tabernacle and finds it perfect — everything done as God commanded. He blesses the people, marking divine approval and fulfillment. Lesson: God blesses obedience. When you build according to His pattern and complete His work with faithfulness, His favor rests on all you do. Application for Today 1. Serve with Excellence: God deserves your best — not perfection, but faithful, wholehearted effort. 2. Walk in Holiness: Like the priests’ garments, your life should reflect purity, humility, and dedication to God. 3. Remember You Represent God: Wherever you go, you carry His name. Let your life be a visible witness of His glory. 4. Obey Completely: The repeated phrase “as the Lord commanded” shows that obedience is the highest form of worship. 5. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness: Just as Moses blessed the people, take time to thank God when He helps you finish what He began. Summary Exodus 39 celebrates the completion of God’s holy dwelling and the readiness of His priests to serve. What began with instruction in Exodus 25 now ends with fulfillment — every thread, jewel, and clasp created exactly as God said. The garments of Aaron reflect the beauty of holiness — a visible sign of a heart devoted to God. The people’s obedience brings God’s blessing, proving that worship is not just about words or feelings, but about doing what He says with reverence and joy. For believers today, this chapter reminds us that we are clothed not in linen but in righteousness. Through Christ, we are made priests of the living God, set apart to reflect His glory to the world. Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean for you to be “clothed in holiness” in your everyday life? 2. How does obedience bring blessing and peace in your relationship with God? 3. What unfinished area of obedience might God be asking you to complete today? #LordsbookDailys #ThroughTheBible #Exodus39 #BibleStudy #PriestlyGarments #FaithfulObedience #GodsDesign #GetInTheWord #ChristianLiving #GrowInFaith

📅 BIBLE STUDY — January 20 | Exodus 29 🕊️ “Consecrated for God’s Service” Introduction Exodus 29 describes the ordination ceremony of Aaron and his sons — the process by which God set them apart to serve as priests in His holy sanctuary. After God revealed the design of the Tabernacle and the garments of glory and beauty (Exodus 25–28), He now explains how the priests are to be consecrated, cleansed, and prepared to minister in His presence. The ceremony involves sacrifices, washing, anointing with oil, and the application of blood — all rich in spiritual symbolism that points forward to Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. The entire process shows that no one can serve God without purification, sacrifice, and anointing. The priests had to be cleansed from sin, covered in righteousness, and empowered by the Spirit before entering the holy place. For believers today, Exodus 29 teaches that we, too, have been set apart for holy service — not by animal blood, but by the blood of Christ. We are cleansed by His Word, filled with His Spirit, and called to live as priests who offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5). Context ● Author: Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ● Setting: Mount Sinai, as God gives Moses instructions for the priestly ordination ● Purpose: To show how the priests are to be consecrated through washing, anointing, and sacrifice, symbolizing purity and devotion to God Verse-by-Verse Overview Verses 1–3 – The Offerings for Consecration “And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil (you shall make them of wheat flour). You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams.” God gives Moses precise instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The offerings — a bull, two rams, and unleavened bread — symbolize cleansing, dedication, and fellowship. Lesson: God’s call to service requires preparation and purity. Dedication to His work begins with surrender at His altar. Verses 4–6 – Washing and Clothing the Priests “And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash them with water. Then you shall take the garments, put the tunic on Aaron, and the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the intricately woven band of the ephod. You shall put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.” Before wearing the garments of glory, the priests are washed in water — symbolizing spiritual cleansing. Only after cleansing are they clothed in righteousness and authority. Lesson: Purity comes before power. God’s servants must be cleansed by His Spirit before they can wear the garments of His calling. Verses 7–9 – Anointing and Ordination “And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them. And you shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and put the hats on them. The priesthood shall be theirs for a perpetual statute. So you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons.” The oil represents the Holy Spirit — consecrating the priests for divine service. Anointing empowers and sets apart what has been cleansed. Lesson: God’s calling requires His Spirit. Anointing is not earned — it’s a divine empowerment for holy service. Verses 10–14 – The Sin Offering “You shall also have the bull brought before the tabernacle of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bull. Then you shall kill the bull before the Lord, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. You shall take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and pour all the blood beside the base of the altar. And you shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. But the flesh of the bull, with its skin and its offal, you shall burn with fire outside the camp. It is a sin offering.” The priests lay hands on the bull, symbolically transferring their sin to it. The sacrifice atones for their sin, cleansing them for ministry. Lesson: Ministry begins at the altar of repentance. Before serving others, we must first be cleansed and forgiven by God. Verses 15–18 – The Burnt Offering “You shall also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar. Then you shall cut the ram in pieces, wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and with its head. And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.” This offering represents total surrender. Unlike the sin offering, the entire ram is burned — symbolizing complete devotion to God. Lesson: God desires complete surrender, not partial commitment. True consecration gives all to Him — nothing held back. Verses 19–21 – The Second Ram: The Ram of Consecration “You shall also take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram. Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. And you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar, and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments, on his sons and on the garments of his sons with him; and he and his garments shall be hallowed, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him.” The blood on the ear, hand, and foot symbolizes consecration of hearing, doing, and walking in obedience. The priest’s life is fully dedicated to serving God. Lesson: God wants all of you — your ears to hear His voice, your hands to do His work, and your feet to walk in His ways. Verses 22–25 – The Wave Offering “Also you shall take the fat of the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration), one loaf of bread, one cake made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the Lord; and you shall put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and you shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. You shall receive them back from their hands and burn them on the altar, on the burnt offering, as a sweet aroma before the Lord. It is an offering made by fire to the Lord.” The priests lift the offering before the Lord in gratitude and surrender. It becomes a “sweet aroma,” symbolizing worship and devotion. Lesson: Worship involves giving and returning. When we lift our hearts to God, He receives it as a pleasing sacrifice of love. Verses 26–28 – The Breast and the Heave Offering “Then you shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s consecration and wave it as a wave offering before the Lord; and it shall be your portion. And from the ram of the consecration you shall consecrate the breast of the wave offering which is waved, and the thigh of the heave offering which is raised, of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons. It shall be from the children of Israel for Aaron and his sons by a statute forever, for it is a heave offering. It shall be a heave offering from the children of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, that is, their heave offering to the Lord.” The priests receive part of the offering as food, signifying fellowship with God and His people. Their provision comes from what they offer to Him. Lesson: God sustains those who serve Him. Ministry is partnership — what you give to God, He uses to feed and bless you in return. Verses 29–30 – The Holy Garments Passed On “And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons’ after him, to be anointed in them and to be consecrated in them. That son who becomes priest in his place shall put them on for seven days, when he enters the tabernacle of meeting to minister in the holy place.” The priestly garments were passed down through generations, showing that God’s calling continues through covenant faithfulness. Lesson: God’s anointing outlives generations. What He begins with one generation, He desires to continue through the next. Verses 31–34 – The Holy Meal “And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place. Then Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. They shall eat those things with which the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but an outsider shall not eat them, because they are holy. And if any of the flesh of the consecration offerings, or of the bread, remains until the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy.” The priests eat from the offering — a symbol of communion with God. Sharing in His sacrifice deepens relationship and renews strength. Lesson: God invites His servants to fellowship with Him. Ministry isn’t just service — it’s relationship nourished by His presence. Verses 35–37 – Seven Days of Consecration “Thus you shall do to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. Seven days you shall consecrate them. And you shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement. You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it, and you shall anoint it to sanctify it. Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it, and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy.” The consecration lasts seven days — symbolizing completeness and perfection. The altar, like the priests, is set apart for God’s holy purpose. Lesson: Holiness takes time and consistency. Daily surrender transforms ordinary people and places into instruments of God’s glory. Verses 38–42 – The Daily Offerings “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. With the one lamb shall be one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering. And the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; and you shall offer with it the grain offering and the drink offering, as in the morning, for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you.” The daily morning and evening sacrifices ensured continual fellowship with God. Worship was never to cease — it was to become the rhythm of Israel’s life. Lesson: Worship is a daily devotion, not a weekly duty. Continual surrender keeps your heart in constant communion with God. Verses 43–46 – God’s Presence Among His People “And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory. So I will consecrate the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. I will also consecrate both Aaron and his sons to minister to Me as priests. I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” God’s goal in consecration and sacrifice is relationship. He desires not distant service, but abiding presence among His people. Lesson: God’s ultimate desire is to dwell with you. Everything He commands — from sacrifice to service — leads to fellowship with Him. Application for Today 1. Be Cleansed Before You Serve: Let God’s Word wash your heart and mind before you minister. 2. Live a Life of Surrender: Offer every part of yourself to God — your hearing, your hands, and your steps. 3. Walk in the Power of the Spirit: The anointing of oil represents the Holy Spirit’s empowerment for service. 4. Maintain Daily Communion: Don’t let your devotion grow cold; meet God daily at His altar through prayer and worship. 5. Remember You Are Consecrated: You are set apart to reflect God’s holiness and love in a dark world. Summary Exodus 29 paints a vivid picture of what it means to be consecrated for God’s service. Through cleansing, sacrifice, anointing, and fellowship, the priests were prepared to serve in God’s holy presence. Every step of this ceremony points to Jesus Christ — the true Priest and perfect Sacrifice — who cleanses, covers, and consecrates us to serve God. Through His blood, we are not just forgiven; we are set apart, empowered, and invited to live continually in fellowship with Him. For believers today, this chapter is a call to live consecrated lives — holy, surrendered, and constantly aware that we carry the presence of God wherever we go. Reflection Questions 1. What areas of your life might God be calling you to consecrate more fully to Him? 2. How does the symbolism of the washing, anointing, and blood apply to your daily walk with Christ? 3. What habits can you build to maintain a continual “altar” of prayer and devotion in your life? #LordsbookDailys #ThroughTheBible #Exodus29 #BibleStudy #ConsecratedForGod #GodsPresence #GetInTheWord #FaithOnline #ChristianCommunity #GrowInFaith

📅 BIBLE STUDY — January 19 | Exodus 28 👕 “Clothed for Glory and Service” Introduction Exodus 28 shifts focus from the structure of the Tabernacle to the priests who will serve in it. Having described the place where God’s presence will dwell, God now appoints the men who will minister before Him and prescribes the sacred garments they are to wear. Aaron and his sons are chosen to serve as priests. Their clothing is not ordinary — it is designed “for glory and for beauty.” Every color, jewel, and thread symbolizes holiness, representation, and intercession. These garments remind Israel that approaching God requires purity, humility, and divine covering. At the heart of this chapter is the High Priest’s role as mediator between God and His people. Aaron bears the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and over his heart, representing all of Israel before the Lord. The garments — the ephod, breastplate, robe, turban, and linen garments — all carry symbolic meaning fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16). This chapter reminds believers that we too are called to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Though we do not wear physical garments, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, called to serve God with purity, honor, and beauty. Context ● Author: Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ● Setting: Mount Sinai, as God gives instructions for priestly garments and ordination ● Purpose: To set apart the priests for holy service and reveal the spiritual symbolism of intercession and representation before God Verse-by-Verse Overview Verses 1–2 – The Call to the Priesthood “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.” God calls Aaron and his sons into the priesthood, appointing them to serve as mediators between God and His people. Their garments were designed to reflect God’s holiness, glory, and beauty. Lesson: God’s calling always comes with purpose and preparation. When He sets you apart, your life becomes a reflection of His glory. Verses 3–5 – Skilled Workers and Sacred Materials “So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest. They shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen.” God fills artisans with His Spirit to create the priestly garments. Every stitch was an act of worship, symbolizing divine wisdom and beauty in service. Lesson: Every gift and skill can glorify God. When your work is Spirit-led, it becomes a sacred act of worship. Verses 6–8 – The Ephod: Garment of Service “And they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked. It shall have two shoulder straps joined at its two edges, and so it shall be joined together. And the intricately woven band of the ephod, which is on it, shall be of the same workmanship, made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen.” The ephod was a richly designed garment symbolizing service and authority. Its colors and materials reflected heaven’s glory and the beauty of holiness. Lesson: Serving God is both an honor and a responsibility. When you wear His calling, you carry His glory before others. Verses 9–12 – The Onyx Stones on the Shoulders “Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel: six of their names on one stone, and six names on the other stone, in order of their birth. With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, you shall engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall set them in settings of gold. And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.” Each onyx stone carried the names of Israel’s twelve tribes. The priest literally bore the people on his shoulders before God — a picture of intercession and representation. Lesson: Intercession means carrying others before God in prayer. True leaders lift their people on their shoulders in love and prayerful responsibility. Verses 13–15 – The Breastplate of Judgment “You shall also make settings of gold, and you shall make two chains of pure gold like braided cords, and fasten the braided chains to the settings. You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod, you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.” The breastplate rested over the heart, representing the priest’s role in seeking God’s will and interceding for the people. Its design was to be both beautiful and precise. Lesson: God’s servants carry His people not only on their shoulders (strength) but on their hearts (love). Ministry flows from compassion. Verses 16–21 – The Twelve Stones of the Tribes “It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its width. And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row; the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings. And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.” Each tribe was represented by a unique, precious stone — showing that every individual is valuable in God’s sight. The priest bore them over his heart continually. Lesson: God sees His people as precious gems. Every believer, though unique, is set in His heart with beauty and purpose. Verses 22–28 – The Chains and Rings for the Breastplate “You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end, like braided cords of pure gold. And you shall make two rings of gold for the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. Then you shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate; and the other two ends of the two braided chains you shall fasten to the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front. You shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which is on the inner side of the ephod. And two other rings of gold you shall make, and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod. They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod, using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod.” The breastplate was securely fastened so it would never fall from the priest’s chest. It symbolized steadfast love and continual remembrance. Lesson: God holds His people close to His heart — secure, remembered, and never forgotten. Verses 29–30 – Bearing the People Before the Lord “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually. And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.” The high priest carried both the names of the tribes and the Urim and Thummim — sacred stones used to discern God’s will. This symbolizes Christ, our High Priest, who bears our names and leads us with perfect wisdom. Lesson: God’s people are always on His heart. Jesus carries us before the Father with love and intercession every moment. Verses 31–35 – The Robe of the Ephod “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord and when he comes out, that he may not die.” The robe’s design combined fruit (pomegranates) and bells — symbols of fruitfulness and testimony. The sound announced the priest’s ministry before God. Lesson: God’s servants should bear both fruit and sound — character and testimony. True ministry is seen in both lifestyle and voice. Verses 36–38 – The Holy Crown “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.” The crown declared Holiness to the Lord. It reminded both priest and people that worship and service must be holy. Lesson: God’s servants are marked by holiness. When your mind is set apart for Him, everything you do becomes acceptable in His sight. Verses 39–43 – Garments for Glory and Modesty “You shall skillfully weave the tunic of fine linen thread, you shall make the turban of fine linen, and you shall make the sash of woven work. For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty. So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.” Every garment was made to honor God through both beauty and modesty. The priest’s appearance reflected the purity and dignity of God’s presence. Lesson: Holiness covers, it doesn’t expose. Those who serve God should reflect both inner purity and outward humility in all they do. Application for Today 1. Remember Your Calling: Like Aaron, you are called and equipped by God for His service. 2. Live as His Representative: You carry His name and presence wherever you go. 3. Pray with Compassion: Intercede for others with the same heart Christ has for His people. 4. Stay Pure in Heart and Life: Holiness is not optional — it’s the mark of those who serve a holy God. 5. Reflect His Beauty: Your life should display the beauty of God’s presence, not just in words but in conduct and love. Summary Exodus 28 reveals that the priesthood was not about prestige but about representation and holiness. Every thread and jewel of the priestly garments pointed to the holiness, mercy, and intercession of God. The ephod, breastplate, robe, and crown all foreshadowed Christ — the perfect High Priest who bears our names on His shoulders and our lives upon His heart. Through Him, we have direct access to the Father, clothed not in linen but in righteousness. For believers, this chapter is a call to serve with reverence and beauty, living as living temples and spiritual priests, set apart for the glory of God. Reflection Questions 1. What does it mean to you that Christ carries your name before the Father? 2. How can you live as a representative of God’s holiness and compassion today? 3. What “garments” — attitudes, habits, or behaviors — best reflect your identity as part of God’s royal priesthood? #LordsbookDailys #ThroughTheBible #Exodus28 #BibleStudy #GodsHoliness #SetApart #GetInTheWord #FaithOnline #ChristianCommunity #GrowInFaith

Guidelines for living. December 29th, 2025 ​ What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple? Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 ​ “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). And who was this to make such a bold statement? He’s identified in history as Jesus of Nazareth, but Nazareth was merely the place where He grew up. One day, Jesus put the question to His disciples, saying, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). In both Marxist and revolutionary circles Jesus gained new prominence as one who had the courage to be different, as one who greatly changed the course of history. Jesus laid it on the line with His followers. He never sugarcoated the challenge. In fact, there were actually times when He made it difficult for men to follow Him. He actually believed that a nucleus of really dedicated men and women could accomplish far more than an army of believing warriors who tipped their hats to Him on Sabbath morning and forgot Him for the rest of the week. “If anyone would come after me,” Jesus challenged, “he must deny himself” (Matthew 16:24). In spite of religious interest today, the fact that there is very little real denial of self is one of the indications that much of what we call Christianity today is superficial—lacking much depth. “Deny yourself and take up your cross!” were the words that immediately brought to people’s minds the picture of crucifixion and all that it stood for. The disciples—the men and women—who heard Jesus understood this, for on many occasions they had watched as a helpless victim was impaled on wooden timbers affixed at right angles. The cross spoke of death—hideous, agonizing death, and the disciples immediately recognized that if they would really follow Jesus, then He had to be first as they put their own ambitions and interests aside. Does Jesus demand less today? Does He still insist that His kingdom be put above our own kingdoms of personal gain? Wycliffe Bible translator Ken Jacobs tried to translate the word “deny” when he was working with the Chamula Indians of Mexico. He found, however, that in their culture and language, they had no real concept or understanding of self-denial. Flagellation, or beating themselves—yes, there was a word for that; but to deny self was foreign to them. Finally, Ken translated the word, saying, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him put out of his own heart what his own heart wants to do, and come take up his cross daily and follow me.” That’s what discipleship is all about. One last thought: Following Jesus Christ is totally voluntary. He doesn’t coerce you. He won’t bribe you with a “home in the sky in the sweet by-and-by” offer. He merely invites you to “Come, follow me.” He demands one thing, though. He insists on having first place in your heart and life. Today, we seem to be blighted with an AMYF affliction: “After me, you’re first!” Why not be a Christian? Could be good for business. But the message of the cross hasn’t really changed with the passing of time. Carved in ivory or gilded with twenty-four-karat gold, the cross still speaks of personal death so Christ can live. Today, Jesus asks no less. He still says, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). You put out of your heart what your heart wants to do so that He can live in your heart. ​Resource reading: Matthew 10:32-42