Exodus 27:19-20 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.

We don’t often speak about the vessels of service. It’s Old Testament and for some reason we tend to shy away from the old words. Perhaps that is because they are closely related to the law. Bathing in grace is great but there are fine things to be seen in those scriptures.

Ever consider the vessels of service were empty? We take it for granted don’t we? It’s the obvious things that are so easily overlooked. What if this vessel made for light were filled with bars of brass? The lamp would still work but not as efficiently as designed. It would not burn as bright or for as long as it was meant to burn by design. The vessel was made of brass, so why did I choose to fill it with brass bars? To demonstrate an idea.

Don’t get too full of yourself.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

2 Corinthians 8:12a For if there be first a willing mind

Do the right thing because it is right. Do the right thing because it is just. Do the right thing because it is noble. Do the right thing because that is how you were raised. Do the right thing to please me. None of that speaks to the willingness of mind. A willing mind does not need to be convinced, coerced, convicted or threatened.

The willing mind is a true reflection of love. It is the father that stands between his child and a mad dog. It is the mother who stands in front of the mad man’s gun to protect her baby. No thought, no reasoning, no doubt, just action.

So much of what Christians do in this world is judged by a world that does not have a loving heart. They have their passions for sure. They have order and tradition. They have allegiances and dedication. All of that can done without one shred of love of the Father.

Philippians 2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The willing mind reflecting the true heart of love that He has towards us.