Jim Gallagher

Deuteronomy 16:16
“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.”

God established three retreats in the calendar year for His people. Three times a year they would gather together to celebrate the Lord, and what He had done for them. At the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they were to remember the way they were supernaturally delivered from Egypt. At the Feast of Weeks, they were to remember they were once slaves in Egypt. And at the Feast of Tabernacle, they were to rejoice over the new life they had in the land.

It would do us good to come to the House of the Lord with that same focus. When we walk through the doors of the church, we should take time to remember we were once slaves of sin, who were set free, through the supernatural work of Christ on the cross. We should also keep in mind, the work the Lord is currently doing in our lives, as we walk with Him.

Like Israel, we should never come empty-handed. They were required to arrive with offerings of the first fruits of the land, and the flocks. We should always come with a heart ready to worship, and a will ready to obey. As you walk through the doors of the church today, do so expecting to offer yourself to the Lord, and be ready to go out the doors, putting into practice the things you learn from His Word.

Pastor Jim