Sreedhar's Journey

Are you the oldest child in the family? You probably became the learning child for your parents. Parenting is not easy and it is learnt mostly on the job. My wife and I are both first born. In the Jewish tradition the first born is dedicated to the Lord because the firstborns were saved when the plague of death came in Egypt. Numbers 3:13, because all the firstborn are Mine. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They shall be Mine: I am the Lord.” God is looking for firstborns in every family in the spiritual sense as well. When you come to discover the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, you become born again. You are reborn in the spirit. In the process you may be first of your entire family to come to the Lord. Then you are the firstborn. God is looking for firstborns in every family. Would you be the one? Father, help us to bless every family on earth. None missed out. Let th

My first visit to New York City was in 1990. It was quite an eye opener. A Brazilian colleague followed me for the trip. One of the things I discovered was how organized the streets were. There were avenues and streets. They were all numbered. Streets run east west and avenues go north south. The people of Israel were also well organized. Numbers 2:34, Thus the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses; so they camped by their standards and so they broke camp, each one by his family, according to their fathers’ houses. The Levites dwelt around the tabernacle, while the rest of the tribes were on different sides of the tabernacle. Just like New York City, you can figure out where you are in relation to the tabernacle based on which tribe you are with. And just like a street sign, each tribe had a standard, a flag or banner. Are you lost in the crowd? Just check who you are with and check the flag. But one thing is constant. The tabernacle is in the center.

I have fond memories of my days in management consulting. One of the things I remember was dealing with the Statistics Department and the Government agencies like the Economic Planning Unit that rely on them to plan for the country. I was privileged as a young man to deal with some very senior government people in the 80's and 90's in this regard. One of the things they did was run a periodic census of the country. The people of Israel did the same in the desert. Numbers 1:46, all who were numbered were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty. Moses led 603,550 men of fighting age (20 years and older) not including the Levites, women and the younger people. The largest tribe was Judah, from which comes the lineage for King David and Jesus. This is no small number to be moving in the wilderness. The logistics involved is no small thing. Only God could keep them together. He also gave detailed instructions on the matter of the tabernacle. Numbers 1:50, but you sh

Since I started blogging my journals publicly I have mentioned the term counter culture a number of times. Yesterday, at church while talking about giving I used the same term. Jesus, as He preached the sermon on the mount, He shared on some counter culture stuff. Love your enemies. Go the extra mile. Do not resist an evil person. Moses got some tough instructions as well. Leviticus 27:32, And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. Everything you have you can decide what you want to do as a good steward of what God has given you, but the tenth is without question, God's. This is what we call the tithe. The Lord has clear plans for what we own and how we manage it. Our role as His children is to submit these to the Lord and allow Him to bless us exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. God's economy is different. This is not zakat. This is the ten percent. The tithe. It is counted

When I was growing up there were many things we were told to do and others that we were to refrain from. Because I grew up in a Hindu home, much superstition was used to scare us into compliance. It was simple things like don't swing the door, and don't cut your nails after dark. Moses got clear instructions from the Lord for the people of Israel on how they were to maintain a right relationship with God. Leviticus 26:1, You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. This was first thing repeated for the people of Israel. The peoples all around them and even their forefather Abraham's relatives worshiped idols. But here clear instruction is given. The blessings for obedience is great. You can read it in the chapter. But, disobedience will yield dire consequences. Leviticus 26:25, And I will bring a swor

In my undergraduate and graduate study years I did some economics and finance subjects. Much of what is studied are various theories based on historical observations. This influences most government policy makers around the world for the economic well-being of their country. However, it would be interesting to see how the economic plan given by God to the people of Israel would work today. Leviticus 25:2, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. The starting point is understanding the Sabbath rest for the land every 7 years. Which means every land in Israel stops producing crop for sale. The fruit of the land is only gathered for the landowner's, his family and servants' consumption. And every 50th year there is an extra Sabbath year where everything is automatically redeemed without any payment. Land and slaves or servants. Leviticus 25:28, But if he is not able to have i

Many cultures have a deep reverence for Godly things. This is only natural since this involves worship of a being that has authority over your life and well-being. People of Israel were no different and they had to seek God to understand what they should do when someone shows irreverence to God. Leviticus 24:12, Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the Lord might be shown to them. They did the right thing since they have never been told what to do under such circumstances. They sought the Lord. I need to do the same when I am faced with a new situation. The wisdom of God needs to be sought. James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. This is no simple matter. We need to pray that we are always guided by His wisdom. Father, guide me each day with your wisdom. I need Godly wisdom, not human.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and those who celebrate it worldwide. The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. Today, I am sure, it has taken on a bigger definition of thanksgiving. We are thankful for many things in our lives that God has blessed us with. The people of Israel were likewise told to remember certain feasts. Leviticus 23:4, These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. Reading through the chapter you realize that they are all meant to remind the people of their deliverance from captivity and their need for atonement. It is amazing that every little detail was meant to be a signpost for God's plans for the future. You need to read the chapter and see how the "God instituted" feasts are reflections of God's plans for mankind. My son Shane pointed me to this vid

Have you used a curse phrase that included God or some reference to Him? You may have said it in anger, or as part of a joke to solicit laughter. Whatever the reason, God heard it. If you don't believe that God exists, then why use any reference to Him. If you do believe God exists, you are damned. The people of Israel were told not to profane God's name. Leviticus 22:32-33, You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.” Much of our speech today is rather loose. Our human mind can be very manipulative and reactive. In anger, or at the spur of the moment, we jump in and say something we regret. If not outwardly, then in our God given conscience. I need to recognize that He is my God, and He is Lord. When you say something in public or private, God hears every word. He is omnipresent. There is nothing private with God. Watch your

My son was working on homework till past 11pm and I was getting a little upset to know that he waited till late to finish. So I asked him when the homework is due. He said not for another day. And I asked why he wanted to stay up so late to do it now. He replied, "I want to push myself". Whoa! Not many children I know say that at his age. The Jewish children are generally the same. It comes from a heritage of being set apart. Leviticus 21:10, He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes. The Jews knew what it meant to be consecrated, or set apart. They were counter culture in their lifestyles. They ate kosher food, they did not have an idol to worship, and they had odd economic practices. In this chapter the priests had to follow strict guidelines if they were going to serve as priests. Today, by our redemption on the cross we are all pri

In one of my previous entries I mentioned that stress is the biggest contributor to ill health. What causes it? Stress is an indicator that all is not well in your mind, body and soul. There is a struggle going on within. Your God given conscience is not allowing you to rest until you remove the thing that is wrong. God told the people of Israel that they are to be separated to Him. Leviticus 20:26, And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine. When we reject God and do our own things, it is like having moved out of our earthly father's house and being in an unprotected environment, vulnerable to the many things that can harm us. The world is full of harm because of sin. But, God loves us. He also loved the people of Israel and made this promise. Leviticus 20:24, But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord yo

Have you ever been to a medium? This is someone who is filled with a spirit or spirits, and can perform miraculous things like making your business successful, casting a spell on someone, or making someone like you. I have been to mediums when I was young. This was when my mother was still a Hindu. But praise God my first and last encounter after I became Christian was incredible. I only understood it years later. As was the practice at that time, I was brought to the medium just before an important government examination at the age of 15 (I became a follower of Jesus at the age of 14). We were in a line waiting our turn. I could hear the lady medium speaking in a man's voice to the people in front of us. However, when it came to our turn, the lady moved to her regular voice and simply said, "Obey your parents" and the session was over. Now I understand what happened. The spirit that possessed her came out out because the Jesus in me was greater than her spirit. She coul

Australia just voted yes. It is sad when man does not understand the God given ecosystem. We have made great efforts to preserve the environment and promotion of healthy living and lifestyles, but we ignore the basic part of the human ecosystem, Family. The people of Israel were given a clear moral code when it came to human relationships. Leviticus 18:3, According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. It is clear that the Egyptians and the people of Canaan practiced things that were immoral in God's economy and human ecosystem. These are the very things being promoted in today's culture. Leviticus 18:20-23, Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor's wife, to defile yourself with her. And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name

At an early age I knew I will have a problem becoming a doctor. I could not stand the sight and smell of blood. Blood is such an important medium to carry our sustenance all the way to our extremities. Any part of the body that does not receive this for an extended time will die. The worst being the brain. Blood is important for life. The devil also recognized it and influenced blood sacrifice. Leviticus 17:7, They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations. Demons, why them? In many "developed" countries demon worship is coming in ways beyond our own understanding and imagination. It is happening everywhere. Why worship demons? Perhaps it is easier to fulfill the desires of the sinful flesh through demons than to follow God's ways. I know people talk about how construction of buildings, bridges and other major structures are preceded by some kind of blood

People have asked me numerous times what time I get up in the morning. Usually about 4am, including Saturday and Sunday. Today it was before 4am. Why do I do this? I count it a privilege to meet with God each morning before anybody else rises, including my darling wife. I clean myself up and get into the Word, journal and go for my prayer walk. The children of Israel did not have the same privilege. The priest needed to do it and he must do it in a prescribed manner. Leviticus 16:2, and the Lord said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. The Jewish priest can only come in to the Holy of Holies at an appointed time, with the right sacrifices, and alone. Once a year he had to go in to seek atonement for himself, his family and the people of Israel. Leviticus 16:34, This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to m

I said you not not alone, but God is with you. Every move you make is observed by the Heavenly Father. His intention is clear. He is concerned for your wellbeing. I saw some information about how Iceland reduced their teenage problems by involving the parents in their wellbeing. The parents volunteer to patrol the streets to check on these young people after the curfew time of 10pm. Likewise, our Heavenly Father intimately intervened in the lives of the people of Israel in their personal hygiene. Leviticus 15:31, Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them. It taught the people that God takes seriously your hygiene, and your disorderly approach to Him will not be acceptable. We need to honor God with our bodies. The act of getting clean has great benefits in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. It also gets our attitudes right when we approach the throne room of

Ever had a red color smear appear on the thumb of your right hand. Well one person that is a seeker (someone who is not following Jesus) who was being prayed to have a personal relationship with God received this smear rather miraculously. She washed and washed but could not get it off. Finally when she recognized that Jesus is God and He died for her sins, the smear disappeared. Some time later she saw this verse and understood the reason for the smear. Leviticus 14:25, Then he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. She needed the imperfect sacrifice until she received Jesus as her personal Lord and Saviour. The Jews were clear about the instructions for cleansing. But this was a precursor for the perfect sacrifice. Father, may many understand that the perfect has come.

Ever had a contagious disease? I have not, but it must be totally disrupting for a person to go through quarantine, especially if it is for an extended period. Leprosy is one of the diseases that is treated with great care. People who contract it have no choice but to live lonely lives for a time. Such was the case with the lepers in the Old Testament days. Leviticus 13:46, He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. Are you feeling lonely? You can be surrounded by many friends but still feel lonely. You have no one to share your challenges and questions. You are brewing these things on your own. It is times like this you need a personal confidante. Someone you can trust. Someone who is prepared to give time to empathize with you. Unfortunately, in this fast paced world there are not many who can do that, other than God. God is ever ready to hear us, but it starts with a relat

Lee Yen and I have 4 children. By the time Shane came along (number 4) we were experienced at the whole process. To the point that we could afford to do everything ourselves without the need for a live in helper. We were very blessed to have Rev Luis Cabral come pray for Shane while Lee Yen was home with him during the first 30 days of confinement. We were blessed. This tradition of confinement was also there with the Jewish people. Leviticus 12:2, Speak to the children of Israel, saying: If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. 40 days for a male child and 80 days for a female child and a sacrifice is made after that. There is wisdom in this and as I reflect on this there is tremendous benefit from following the process both physically and emotionally. Procreation is a beautiful thing and looking back and seeing what God has developed in our 4 children, we would have done i

I have high regard for people who can maintain strict dietary restrictions for whatever reason. It takes discipline and creativity. Discipline, because it requires great self control not to consume foods outside your permitted domain, though they may look great, and even smell wonderful. Creativity, because you need to think outside the box to find ways to eat the permitted foods. In some geographical areas it may be next to impossible. The Jews were no different. Leviticus 11:46-47, ‘This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’ I learnt the word Kosher when I went to Canada to study. I met a number of Jews while I was there but I wish I had stayed in touch with them. They were brilliant. Whether it was Math or computer logic. God had a reason for them to f

The Hindu rites for various events is quite elaborate. Includes events around the birth of a child, then puberty, marriage and death. Everything requires consultation with the Hindu priest who is very knowledgeable about the acceptable steps. Moses and Aaron were given steps as well, and there was some contention on whether these were followed correctly. Leviticus 10:19, And Aaron said to Moses, “Look, this day they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and such things have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?” Both the Hindu and Jewish steps for different things seem to indicate that people took seriously their approach to God. But God used Jesus to show us that the heart was more important. Are you right with God? There was a second lightning that killed two people. Leviticus 10:2, So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. We can go about

When was the last time you saw fire come down from the sky? If you live in a lightning prone area or region, you may have had lightning strikes on your property or even on people you know. Is it possible? Yes. But the probability that lightning strikes the same place is very low, let alone knowing where it will strike next. But Moses knew that God was going to send one, and also exactly where. Leviticus 9:23-24, And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. This was no ordinary lightning strike. God appeared first and the altar was the exact spot where God intended for the fire to come. The sacrifice was not consumed by human fire, but God's. This was repeated with the prophet Elijah before King Ahab and his Baal pries

Most cultures have a form of head covering for men and women. I just visited a friend who designs and makes caps. You can almost have any design and embroidery done for a price. In the Asian culture, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, including Chinese have their traditional head coverings. It is part of their complete traditional attire and is worn at all times when in an official gathering. This included the Jews. Leviticus 8:9, And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Aaron and his sons had to wear a head covering when they approached the God of the Universe. It is seen as very honoring of God to have your head covered. There are some church cultures where they do the same. Attire aside, God is looking for men and women that would honor Him by coming consecrated into His presence. Leviticus 8:33, And you shall not go outside the door of the tabernacle of meeting for seven days, until the da

Did you wake up on the right side of the bed this morning? What did your spouse say? What did your boss or coworker say? What did your friends say? If you woke up with God first, I guarantee you your countenance would be very different. That is what most faiths do. They recognize the greatness of God and the need to meet with Him first in the morning. The sacrifices that Moses was instructed to share with the people of Israel was a reminder of the greatness of God. To further remind them of this, they are told not to eat the fat and the blood of the sacrifice. Leviticus 7:25, For whoever eats the fat of the animal of which men offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, the person who eats it shall be cut off from his people. The person who founded the Muslim faith found the practices of the Jews and the Christians fascinating and brought them to his own idol worshipping people. He refers to the Jews and Christians as the people of the book, because there was much focus on what the

Accountants have a big role to play in any organization. I have been privileged to work with some great accountants during my days in an accounting firm. They help keep track of everything and a job well done means everyone of the stakeholders of an organization are happy. But there have been cases funds are misused and it is a sin. Moses was given clear instructions when things get stolen or extorted. Leviticus 6:5, or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering. Add 20% more and return everything. And a sacrifice is needed. Is there a future for one who has done wrong? Yes, there is and God makes a way. Jesus met Zacchaeus the tax collector and his relationship with God was restored through the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus pursued Jesus by climbing a tree. His sins were forgiven. Father, thank you for your forgiving grace.

Do you know that you did something wrong today? Firstly you need to know that what you did was wrong. Many people walk around feeling right. But in actual fact there are many things wrong about them. The Bible is clear that you are still accountable for things you did know about. Leviticus 5:18 - 19, And he shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him regarding his ignorance in which he erred and did not know it, and it shall be forgiven him. It is a trespass offering; he has certainly trespassed against the Lord.” Are you ready for this? You are responsible for everything you do. Why? Because you have a God given conscience that tells you right and wrong. You have no excuse. This is the message for all of us. You may justify your ignorance but remember that many in prison today are doing the same. There are many reasons to reject the wrong. The biggest reason is because God l

Have you done wrong before? Don't kid me. Everyone has something wrong in the past. Majority of our wrong actions go unnoticed, including ourselves. When someone did something wrong did you get agitated and become angry? Your blood pressure must have hit a high. This pulls us away from enjoying a stress free life that God intended for us. Hence, the sin offering. Leviticus 4:35, He shall remove all its fat, as the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of the peace offering. Then the priest shall burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire to the Lord. So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him. The entire chapter is devoted to an offering done for unintentionally sinning. Did you intend to get angry? No. But, you did, and that is a sin. Now imagine having to make the sacrifice all the time. Impossible! Father, thank you for Jesus who died and rose again for the perfect sacrifice for all our sins.

I have been to the Philippines quite a number of times to support efforts of bringing the gospel message into the interiors and mountain areas. Those times brings back great memories. One of the things I will never forget are pigs butchered for sacrifice and for celebrations. Their shaman priests always get offered the fatty portions of the sacrifice. When we go it is usually for a wedding feast or some other celebration. As ministers of the gospel we get the fatty portions. In this chapter it clearly shows that the Lord gets fatty portions of the sacrifice. Leviticus 3:14, Then he shall offer from it his offering, as an offering made by fire to the Lord. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails. Leviticus 3:17, This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood. Where did the Filipinos learn this act of bringing the fat out for special presentment? It is unhealthy for a person to c

I love bread. Don't you? Whether it is made as a Western loaf, or an Eastern flat bread, I enjoy them. It is a staple in many countries along with rice, potatoes and maize. It has a long history in the world. From the days of Joseph when the world was starving and came to Egypt to be fed, to today's world when grain is shipped to famine stricken regions. Now here in this chapter Moses gets instruction to use it as an offering to the Lord. Leviticus 2:11, No grain offering which you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey in any offering to the Lord made by fire. It is be offered pure. Nothing that would cause it to have impurities or things that could contaminate and attract bugs. In fact it was to be preserved as a long lasting covenant. So salt was added. Leviticus 2:13, And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain

Ever watched a sacrifice at a Eid al-Adha? It is remembering the event of Abraham taking up his son to be sacrificed. This act is an ancient understanding that your relationship with God can only be maintained through blood sacrifice. It started with the first known blood sacrifice by Abel. The biggest living ethnic groups today, the Chinese and the Indians have similar understandings. Moses is clearly told the same. Leviticus 1:11, He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the Lord; and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for us thereby not requiring any more of these blood sacrifices. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The Lamb is Jesus Christ as prophesied by the prophets in the Old Testament. No one can ignore it because everything that happened leading to Jesus' death on the cross was foretold and had to happen. If you are unsure of life after death, come to Jesus. He conquer