HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 51
page A49
• L E VI T I C U S 2 3 :2 5 | You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to . . .
Celebration allows us to rest and focus on what is good. It takes our minds off the ordinary
and routine.
What kind of celebration is inappropriate?
• E X O DU S 3 2 :2 5 | Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control,
much to the amusement of their enemies.
• NU MB E R S 2 5 :2 | So the Israelites feasted with them and worshiped the gods of Moab.
• 1 PE T E R 4 :3 | You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people
enjoy—their immorality . . . drunkenness and wild parties.
Celebration is wrong when it is self-centered or indulgent, involves sinful acts, or has
conditions that can tempt you into sin.
Are there times when God alone should be the focus of our celebration?
• DE U T E R O NO MY 2 :7 | “The Lord your God has blessed you in everything you have done.
He has watched your every step. . . . The Lord your God has been with you, and you have
lacked nothing.” (See note on page 161.)
Our celebrations should also include time to thank and praise God for his goodness, love,
and grace to us.
Is celebration ever a solemn occurrence?
• 1 K I NG S 8 :6 2 -6 3 | Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. . . .
So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the Temple of the Lord.
Dedicating someone or something to God’s use is a celebration, but one marked with a
special seriousness of commitment. These times of celebration can be just as meaningful
as the joyous times of celebration.
What kind of celebrations go on in heaven?
• L U K E 1 5 :1 0 | “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one
sinner repents.”
• R E VE L AT I O N 5 :1 1 | Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions
of angels around the throne.
Heaven is filled with celebrations too wonderful for the human mind to imagine. Angels
worship God in mighty celebrations and rejoice when one sinner repents. Someday we will
be able to join in these great heavenly events.
PROMISE FROM GOD
• PSA L M 5 :1 1 | But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises
forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled
with joy.
Change See also Decisions; Forgiveness; Habits; Mercy & Grace; Miracles;
Planning; Purpose
Change is one of the great constants of life. Whether because of the slow and gradual erosion of time, or swift and cataclysmic moments of trauma, change happens to everyone.
People change; relationships change; jobs change; technology changes; indeed life itself
HelpFinder
• L E VI T I C U S 2 3 :4 | “In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals,
the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each
year.” (See note on page 113.)
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Through life’s journey and its regular milestones, God has been there to supply all we
need. Celebration should be a time for fun and eating, of course, but it should also be
a time for thanksgiving to God for his blessings to us. Celebrate occasions, celebrate
persons, but most of all, celebrate God.