...the perfect altar of uncut stones...

And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. You shall wield no iron tool on them; you shall build an altar to the Lord your God of uncut stones.
(Deuteronomy 27:5-6 ESV)

...you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.
(Exodus 20:25 ESV)

…the altar…the God-ordained place of sacrifice…

…Jesus' cross…the final altar…

...His body, His blood, His life, violently and voluntarily given…the final, and only efficacious sacrifice…once…for all...


…I cannot improve on Jesus as my means of, and place of, approach to God…not only can I not improve on Jesus, but, when I attempt to alter or modify or re-form any aspect of the perfect provision God has provided in Him, I can only profane it.

What presumptuously sinful foolishness to ever even consider taking hammer and chisel to the perfect Rock of my salvation...

...thinking about first thoughts...

What were my first thoughts as I awoke this morning?

Dread, for the day ahead? Or, delight, in the One Who goes before me?

Fear, of the unknown? Or, faith, in the Faithful One Who knows all things, and is sovereign over all things?

Potential problems that kept me from sleeping most of the night? Or, the promises of the One Who kept me while I slept, and praise for the possibility of knowing and sharing the blessings awaiting as He unfolds His perfect plan?

Jesus said, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

...fix your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...
(Hebrews 12:2a)