Sure & Steadfast

Hear Me

Not My Will

Luke 22:42

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

How many times do we not do something simply because we do not want to do it? if it is something small, we may figure it is not a big deal and just do it, but if it is life changing, we will make our decision on the matter with how it will affect us.

We may not take a new job because it would require moving and we don't want to leave family. We may not give money to a benefit because we will have to give up our daily latte for a few weeks. We may decide to stop having children because we don't want to be "tied down". The list can go on and on.

However, we are called to follow Christ's example. Christ knew what was in store for Him and He didn't want to do it, but He still submitted to His Father's will in the matter. He knew God was calling him to die on the cross when He didn't deserve it. This was the biggest life changing decision one could make--to give up one's life to the point of death.

Many times we don't even want to make changes that may only affect our comfort level for a short time or that may just make us work a little harder than we have int he past.

Is that how we are supposed to be?

Every time I read this scripture, I am humbled. I realize my selfishness and lack of sacrifice. My prayer is that I would not only say, "[N]ot my will, but thine be done," but that my life would show it as well.

Guide Thee

Relax

Path of Thy Commandments

Water to Wine

A sermon on Christ's first miracle.

Happy Birthday!

My oldest is celebrating her birthday today! She has grown into a wonderful young lady.

Usually I make (sometimes buy) a new church outfit for each of my children for their birthdays. This year, Dara was given a new shirt by a new friend and she had asked me to make a skirt to match it for her "birthday outfit". Before I had a chance to start on a skirt, another friend gave her a skirt that matched nicely with the top so I didn't need to make a skirt anymore. Instead, she asked me to make her a skirt out of some material she had picked out over a year ago but we never made into anything. Before I even started on the skirt, I found a top that matched it perfectly at the local consignment shop. A bonus was the top was 1/2 off and it only cost $1.75!

She chose the pattern/length for the skirt. She plans on using this for an everyday outfit.

My youngest celebrated his birthday just a week and a half ago! I still have a ways to go when sewing clothes for boys, but I wanted to make him something. Last year I made him a bow tie so the girls thought I should make him a tie this year and I wanted to try making suspenders. I found tutorials on Pinterest for both the tie and suspenders. I found the shirt and hat at the local consignment shop and the pants we already had.

Encouraging Creativity

Our family is sometimes criticized because of how we live. We do not have a television that is hooked up (we have one that we only use to watch DVD's), we do not have lots of electronic games (and those we do have are used sparingly), we do not have lots of toys/games, etc. We have chosen this lifestyle for a few reasons. 1. We do not like the influence that some of those things have on our children. 2. We live a modest lifestyle and honestly can not afford many of those things. 3. We encourage our children to be creative.

 Encouraging our children to be creative is what I want to discuss today. We believe it is important to allow children to have the time to pursue what interests them. We also believe in allowing them opportunities to be problem solvers. It is amazing what they come up with when given the chance!

Many of my girls like to sew. We currently have four sewing machines in the house so there is usually a machine available to them at all times. They have free range of anything in the scrap bins and many times I will allow them to use other material as well, but they do have to ask first to make sure I don't have plans for it already. One of my girls was digging through the scrap bin one day and found a part of a women's skirt that we had cut up to use for something else because of a tear it had that wasn't fixable. She took it and made it into skirt for her youngest sister (who loves it by the way!).

A few weeks ago, my husband was busy building me a summer kitchen and there were lots of wood scraps laying around. My girls had so much fun making things with those! Give them a few nails and a hammer and they got creative!

They made a table and benches for their dolls.

They each have forts in the woods on our property and this was a shelf
they made to hold their "kitchen supplies".

Here was a bench for one of their forts.

They made lots of crosses! One will be hanging in (or on) the summer
kitchen at some point, they have some for their forts, and of course they
have some they can give away (or try to sell).

One of my girls had seen a star made out of twigs at a friend's house so she made her own.

All of these creations were accomplished with very little help from me and some were done without my knowledge (until they were completed and they showed them off!).  My children have used problem solving skills to make sure they had the right height for their benches and the right angles to put things together. They were creative in deciding what to make and how to go about getting it done.

By "playing" they are learning skills that will benefit them greatly in years to come. I love when they would rather be creating instead of plugged into some electronic device.

I would love to hear about what your children have created!

Becoming New

Evidence of Things Not Seen

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I am a member of a Christian forum that discusses a number of topics. One topic lately has been the debate between evolutionary creationism and biblical creation. There are many of us who strong believe in the biblical creation; however, there are some who believe in evolutionary creation.

Those who believe that both evolution and creation can co-exist say it is because "evolution has been proven to be true." While I don't agree with that statement to begin with (I believe there are numerous instances of creation being proven), I also come back to this scripture.

"evidence of things not seen."

Even if the biblical account of creation wasn't proven by what we see, I would still believe it because of my faith in the Word of God. My faith is my shield that is able to quench the fiery darts that the wicked (those who oppose God's Word) try to throw at me.

Casting Crowns - Thrive (Official Lyric Video)

While I have heard this on the radio a few times, I was sent the link to the video so I really sat and listened to the lyrics. Wow! We are made for so much more than just to be ordinary--we were made to THRIVE!

Refraining Lips

Proverbs 10:12  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 10: 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

I sometimes find my children in a yelling match with each other. They all think they need to have the last word or if one says something to the other, they have to respond (even though it is about something silly).

I have told them that sometimes it is just better to bite your tongue and walk away or not even refute something.

Many times our tongue/our words get us in trouble. WE will either speak without thinking or won't know when to shut up. The wise know when it is just better to keep words to a minimum or not speak at all. Many arguments could be avoided if we would just show some love and keep our mouths shut.

Power of the Spirit

Chad shared a good message today on the Power of the Spirit!

Are You Hungry?

Last week we had a family reunion so someone else preached at our church. I received the audio of his sermon on Friday, but it had to be sent to me in two parts. It took me a little while to figure out how to combine them seamlessly into one video to be able to post it. Here is Abraham VanDuinen's sermon from 7-12-15--Are You Hungry?

Making the Impossible Possible

Luke 18:27 

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

People often look at our family and say that we are crazy. They don't understand how we provide for so many children and on one income (well, one person working 2 jobs) at that. What they don't understand is that it isn't us providing--it is God!

Back 12 years ago when we decided I would quit teaching to be a stay-at-home mom, we weren't sure how it would work either. We wrote out our budget and discovered we were $600/month short every month with just the necessities. Praise God, we were never late with a payment, we always had food to eat and clothes to wear! He always provided in some way from providing clothes from someone or selling something when we needed the money or providing a side job at just the right time. We didn't/don't just sit back and say God will supply; we work where He asks us to work.

Through all our financial struggles, we never stopped tithing (in fact, we never truly tithed 10% until I quit my job). If we were $600 short a month, why did we continue to give 10%? We gave the 10% (and often more) because God commands us to give. He made the impossible possible and I believe it was because we were faithful even when the world told us it was crazy.

God's ways are incomprehensible to us, but He has shown us time and time again that His ways work. We have received many comments about our family size (and I'm sure they will never stop) and we have lost relationships because of people disagreeing with us, but we know God makes it possible for us to love and take care of all our children. Sometimes we do mess up, but God always has our backs and redeems our mistakes.

How has God made the impossible possible in your life?

Rush Revere Giveaway!

As some of you know, I am a former public school English teacher and now an home school mom. Both of those aspects of my life add to my love for books--good books!

We use Robinson Curriculum as our base for our school, but with being a book lover, I, of course, have my favorites that I have added to our required reading list (and I'll probably continue to add books as I find new favorites!). I have also taken books that we already own and "replaced" books from the Robinson list on the same subjects to keep me from having to either print the books, find them in thrift stores, or download on the kindle.

Here is what our reading list currently looks like:

To see the entire file, go here.

If you would like to see all the grades an the books listed, click on the link in the caption of the photo above. The first column says whether the book is original to the Robinson book list or what I've added. The second column is the grade level (although I may be changing the grade level of a few books--I'm still contemplating). The next column is the book title and the next the author. The fifthe column is what "subject" I have placed the book although some of the books can fit into more than one subject. The sixth column just lets my children know where to look for the book in our personal library (my two oldest have their own kindles, we have one family kindle, and I also have a kindle reader on my iPad). The last two columns is for my children to fill out when they start and end a book.

I have shared this information on part of our school (our mathematics program isn't here), as an introduction to a giveaway!

If you click and open the entire file, you will see that in 9th grade, I have my children read Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh. It is an entertaining book on the subject of colonial times. My oldest is the only one who has read it so far and she wrote a brief review of the book.

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims is a good book. It makes you look at what the pilgrims did and felt instead of what happened to them. It also teaches not to look at the outward appearance--look on the inside. 

The only thing I dislike about this book is the magic. Other than that, it is a great history book. ~ Dara, age 14

Rush Limbaugh has other Rush Revere books already in print and I will most likely find them at some point and if they are as good as this first book, add them to our reading list as well.

I have a copy of Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims to giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do As Unto the Lord

Luke 17:7-10

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?  Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

As a mother, I often feel unappreciated. I work hard for my family--cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc., but very rarely do I hear a, "Thank you!"

For me, that has often discouraged me. I am sure since words of affirmation is a top love language for me that it makes it that much worse; however, I am sure all mothers would like to recognition for their hard work and sacrifices.

However, we read in Luke that we shouldn't expect thanks for doing what is commanded of us. Doesn't God command us to love others as ourselves? Does He command us to be keepers at home? If we, as servants of Christ, are just doing what has been commanded of us, then why are we seeking earthly praise?

The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 8:13 

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs tells us how we should act if we truly fear God. We should hate evil. What does that look like? It continues to tell us pride, arrogancy, evil ways and a froward mouth are what God hates.

I looked up 'forward' to make sure I was remembering the definition correctly--perverse.I also looked up the original Hebrew word for mouth and saw that another meaning for it was 'mind' (although it isn't translated that way very often). I pondered this and remembered Matthew 12:34:

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Our mouths speak what is truly in our hearts/mind.

God hates perverse minds. If we fear Him, we should hate perverse minds. Why then, do so many Christians support perverseness? This is a question I have been struggling to answer for my children (because with the world today, they often ask). The only thing I can say is I wonder if people truly fear the Lord.

Lest We Forget

Psalms 78:1-8

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. 

Do you share with your children how God has worked in your life? Do you talk about all the wonders He has done for generations? Do you realize that God commands us to share His stories with others lest they forget His greatness?

I have learned the importance of sharing stories of God's faithfulness with others since having children. When others hear of how God has worked good for others, it strengthens their own faith or can even draw them to Christ.

I never heard stories of martyrs growing up or of that many missionaries, but their stories are inspiring to me now. My children love hearing about God's miraculous works in the lives of people and these stories help them remember God's faithfulness to those who love and follow Him. They see how God's ways may not always make sense to us, but they are better. They are inspired by the bravery of others in the face of persecution and know that god will sustain them should they even be persecuted themselves.

I think far too many Christians have forgotten how God works in the lives of people. Many people believe Bible stories are just that--stories, but if we share how God is currently working in our lives, they will see His hand at work.

Don't be scared to share how God has worked in your life. Be open and vulnerable to share your weaknesses and thereby, God's strength.

I would love to hear a story from you about God's hand in your life!

Abide

Be Transformed

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

conform-to fashion self according to

transform-change, metamorphosis

renew-renovation

perfect-complete

We are not supposed to be like those of the world. We are to change our thoughts to be in accordance to that of God. We are to experience a metamorphosis from a worldly being to a spiritually-minded being. We are to renew/renovate our thoughts to be in accordance to God. It is only when we do, that we will know/understand what is good, acceptable and His will.

We can not walk around agreeing with the things of this world and saying it is God's will. This scripture shows us that God's ways are good and that they are different from the world's.

Think on These Things

Studying Scripture

Philippians 4:6 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Just yesterday I mentioned about seeking God's wisdom in scripture instead of trying to make it fit a preconceived notion you (or someone else) may have. I also mentioned that sometimes you need (or should) go back to the original Hebrew/Greek to fully understand scripture because translations sometimes aren't right or can be confusing.

Philippians 4:6 is an example of this.

It is a well-known verse, but when I read it this time, I pondered what "careful" meant. I went back to the original  with the use of a concordance and saw that the Greek word used was merimnao which means "to be anxious". To me, it would have made more sens to use the word "anxious" instead of "careful" as it brings more meaning to the scripture for me.

Who to Follow

Philippians 3:17-19

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Be careful of which preachers to whom you listen and "follow" (mark as an example). Just because they call themselves a preacher, does not mean they truly are. Check the Bible for yourself to make sure what they are preaching is true.

That being said, just because some preach the truth, it doesn't mean you should stop checking the scriptures for yourself. Some people begin walking with the Lord, but either stray (they later repent) or no longer walk with Him (no repentance). They may at one time be godly, but turn to their own god which supports their desires of the flesh (vs. 18-19).

As is evidenced through the many headlines of top preachers and Christian leaders confessing their sin and stepping down from their positions, it is possible to stray from or leave your walk with the Lord; however, they are sinners just like the rest of us and if they repent (turn from), they will receive grace. To get an idea of repentance, think about Luke 6:44-47:

 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Look at their lives and see if they are producing fruit of righteousness or not. See if they are overcome with "thorns". Do they do what the Lord tells them?

Just because someone quotes scripture, doesn't mean they are following God's commands. You do need to be careful of the people who try to use the Bible to justify their sins. If you go to scripture and look for something to support a view point you can usually find something that, used out of context, will work; however, scripture needs to be taken as a whole. Use scripture to interpret scripture. Read verses in context. Seek (ask for) the Lord's meaning and not your own. In some cases, you may need to go back to the original Hebrew/Greek words and their meanings because translations don't always get it right or can be confusing (I'll post more on this tomorrow).

In short, always be careful of who you "follow" and always check the scriptures for yourself.

Psalm 51

More Sewing

I have been in the sewing/creative mode lately! I truly do want to use up scraps, but also make useful items.

I first made a bib. My son has destroyed some bibs and needs more for himself and I will need some for the new baby. I have several bib patterns pinned in my pinterest account and I tried this one first. The backing is green fleece and the front is a navy blue polkadot material which both came out of my scrap bin. I don't think it turned out too bad. He used it once. He doesn't care for the tie (his others are either snaps or velcro), but it was VERY simple and quick to make.

I know I only have 7 more weeks of my pregnancy, but I'm still low on maternity clothes that aren't stained (for some reason I keep staining the belly area!). A friend shared a maternity pattern so I gave it a try today. It is a simple pattern and I completed it all in the morning. I am going to go through my material to see if I have enough of a knit to make a knit shirt in this same pattern (this is a cotton blend).

As before, I used all material/notions I already had so these projects only took my time.

I have also started on my first pair of suspenders for my son's birthday. I really dislike turning "tubes" inside out so I told my girls I would pay $1 a tube for them to turn them. One is turned and a girl is working on the other.

Jesus is God in Flesh

Chad continued with John 1 today--Jesus is God in Flesh.

Freedom!

Today we celebrate our nation's independence from tyrannical leadership. This year I am pondering how long before we need to do the same thing again, but from our own leadership. Christ has set us free from the burden of sin and may we not be burdened again by a government set out to squash our religious liberties.

http://www.lovestoryhome.com/4th-of-july-freedom-in-christ/

God is Good!

Psalms 77:1-20<>
1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

There may be times where things seem helpless. There may be times when you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. But remember, your feelings do not change the character of God! He is still God-the God who works miracles and is all-powerful!

Jehovah Jireh!

1 Kings 17:1-24

 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 8 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah. 17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 22 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

We learn of the name--Jehovah Jireh in Genesis 22 when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac. I was reminded of this when reading 1 Kings 17.

The Lord provided for Elijah when He sent him away. Birds brought him food and water was provided by a brook during a time of famine.

Then He provided for Elijah and a widow by never allowing her supplies to run out.

There is one common element in all these stories--obedience! When we are obedient to God's commands, he is faithful to provide for our needs no matter how bleak the circumstances seem to us (or others).

This really hit me in light of the road this nation taking. I will remain obedient to God's laws and He will take care of me.

Ignorance is NOT Bliss

Leviticus 5:1-19

And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty. Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder: And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering. And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him. 11 But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: it is a sin offering. And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him. And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him. It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the LORD.

Ignorance

Is ignorance an excuse for sin? According to Leviticus 5 it isn't. This chapter is about sin offerings even for when the Israelites sinned without knowledge. Once we are aware that we broke one of God's commands, we need to repent. If it is a sin where we can make restitution, it is our duty to do so.

While we no longer need to go to the priest with a blood sacrifice, we do need to seek forgiveness from whomever has been affected by our sin.

According to the Bible--ignorance is NOT bliss!