Bible in a Year Blog

Leviticus 22:17-23:44 + Mark 9:30-10:12 + Psalm 44:1-8 + Proverbs 10:19
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Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 23 we read about the Appointed Festivals!  The NIV Study Bible has a great chart summarizing the Old Testament Feasts and Other Sacred Days, which is significantly paraphrased below with just Name & Purpose:

1. Sabbath – Rest for people and animals
2. Sabbath Year – Rest for land.
3. Year of Jubilee – Help for poor; stabilize society.
4. Passover – Remember Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
5. Unleavened Bread – Remember how the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt in haste.
6. Firstfruits – Recognize the Lord’s bounty in the land.
7. Weeks (Pentecost or Harvest) – Show joy and thankfulness for the Lord’s blessing of harvest.
8. Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah-New Year’s Day) – Present Israel before the Lord for his favor.
9. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – Atone for the sins of priests and people and purify the Holy Place.
10. Tabernacles (Booths or Ingathering) – Memorialize the journey from Egypt to Canaan; give thanks for the productivity of Canaan.
11. Sacred Assembly – Commemorate the closing of the cycle of feasts.
12. Purim – Remind the Israelites of their national deliverance in the time of Esther.
13. Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights) – Commemorated the purification of the temple and altar in the Maccabean period.
14.  New moons were also often special feast days.
(Above is from Zondervan’s “NIV Study Bible” pp. 176-177) Below is a Jewish calendar, which includes many of the feasts and sacred days listed above:

Bible.org’s commentary on Leviticus chapter 23 titled “The Lord’s Appointed Times” is at this link.

New Testament – Mark chapter 9 verses 33-35 always stand out to me and I personally always need to be reminded of Jesus’ teaching here in the last sentence: “Jesus asked them, “What were you discussing out on the road?”  But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him. Then he said, “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”  How are you doing on this last sentence?  Are you taking last place?  Are you the servant of everyone else?  Do you think this last sentence applies to Jesus’ life?  Do you think we should model how Jesus lived his life?

I came across an artistic image I liked a lot, below, which applies to verses 36 & 37… except of course that the child is wearing very modern day clothes – keep in mind it is art! 🙂 –  “Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me.”

Psalms – Psalm 44 verse 3 is a wise statement about where the Israelites and our true strength and victory in life comes from! “They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them.”

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 19 today teaches us: “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” This is a wonderful reminder that we should listen at least twice as much as we talk!  That’s why we have 2 ears and one mouth…  🙂

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Matthew reminded me of the Casting Crowns song “Nobody:”

Are you a Nobody? Click here to live for Nobody but Jesus!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never strive to be first. Pray that you will strive to be the servant of all, as Jesus was the servant of all.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Based on Psalm 44:3 above – as you look back on your life and at the good things that have happened to you, do you think that these things occurred because of your own power or work alone?  Or, do you think it is possible that God’s hand was blessing your life through all of those good things – even if maybe you did not notice God was there at the time?  Can you think of some instances in your life that when you look back on them you realize that God was absolutely there and blessing what was taking place?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Leviticus 22:17-23:44
I haven’t counted how many times in Leviticus that God declares His Holiness to His people, but whatever the number may be it is a lot. God want’s His people to know that He isn’t any ole stone or wood God that He is the God over everything. I’m not sure if it is stated somewhere in the text of the Old Testament, maybe in the Prophets, or maybe I just heard this and somewhere within my spirit it spoke truth, but I believe we become what we worship.
If that statement is true then we are transformed by the attributes and the character of that which we direct our adoration and reverence too while in worship. If that is the case then we can see why God spends so much time revealing who He is and what He will and will not accept in worship and in sacrifices and offerings.
We can also picture God as a stern taskmaster full of doom and gloom, yet there are at the least nine plus festivals throughout the year celebrating this most awesome God. In the ‘hood some might say that God knows how to throw a party and sometimes the parties are one entire weeklong.
Although not listed here, there is a celebration that Jews participate in, at lest the Hassidic and Orthodox Jews do, that celebrates the reading of the Torah. Mike, just like we are doing, they use a plan that goes through the entire Torah in one-year and when they finish, the police shut the streets down in Crown Heights Brooklyn (One of the Hassidic enclaves in Brooklyn) and the men dance in the streets passing the Torah, which is in a special case (it is a scroll), to each other and kissing it. It is a sight to see and one cane become envious seeing the joy that is in the eyes of these religious Jews over the Mosaic Law that they study all their lives.
Wouldn’t it be great for us to have a non-New Years celebration of the reading of the entire Word of God old and new? It would give new meaning to the old Motown song, “Dancing in the Streets.”
Twice in today’s reading God opens up His ordinances and the blessings that come along with following His commands, to those who are not his people, “Give Aaron and his sons and all the Israelites these instructions, which apply to those who are Israelites by birth as well as to the foreigners living among you.” (22:18) In the 22nd verse of chapter 23 foreigners are included with the poor as benefactors of the grain deliberately left in the field. God has always allowed for those who were not His people to benefit from the “crumbs” from those who were and are His people as we read Saturday in the Gospel reading (Mark 7:28) What a mighty God we serve!!
What I really like about today’s reading is that it shows how our God is a God who loves parties. He want’s His people to not only reverence and obey Him He wants them to have a good time in doing it. There are lots of “feasts” and sacred assemblies, food and more food. God wants us to celebrate Him and who we are in Him. So Christian, please don’t walk around with a long face, shout Hallelujah from time to time because we serve a God that enjoys our enjoyment of all the things He has done for us.
Mark 9:30-10:12
Jesus turns the disciples understanding of greatness and leadership upside down by explaining that to be great, and he doesn’t rebuke them for wanting to be great, is to serve one another: greatness through servant-hood.
Just because someone is not part of the “us four and no more” group doesn’t mean they are not doing the work of the Gospel. We live in a society of “gang affiliations” Our gangs may not be the Bloods and the Crips, but they are the church’s we attend, the companies we work for, the folks we “hang” with, the neighborhoods or sub-divisions we call home. But Jesus says that is all incidentals because our afflictions should be based on those lifting up the name of Jesus.
Jesus pulls the marriage relationship out of the comparison arena, our comparing longevity, or lack there of, based on the yardstick used by the rest of society. Jesus pulls marriage back to, “In the Beginning …” and God’s original plan, which should be our yardstick. Even though the question about marriage was to be a trap, Jesus gave them more then what they bargained for. The more information one is given, the more one will be held responsible for the information they receive, so in trying to trap they became entrapped by new information.
Psalm 44:1-8
A couple of years ago I told a good friend that he needed to be careful about how much credit he took for his achievements and while we were talking an image of a baby in a car seat that was equipped with a toy steering wheel came to me. Although the baby may think he is driving a car because he has in front of him something that appears to be the car’s actually steering mechanism, yet none of his actions are causing the car to move. We are in danger of being like that baby who thinks all of his actions are directly causing the car to take him to grandma’s house. This Psalm gives us a reality check.
Proverbs 10:19
This is a warning about the fish story, the one that got away, taken to every area of our lives.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Jennifer:

Ramona, I too was struck by how much God wants us to celebrate with him and sometimes I get too serious about studying and meditating and don’t realize the pure joy of knowing Christ and God. Come to me as little children and enjoy being with me. I was thinking of the song “I am a friend of God.”
Jennifer

======= Mark:

Psalm 44:3 We didn’t fight for this land; we didn’t work for it–it was a gift! You gave it, smiling as you gave it, delighting as you gave it.
This verse struck me – reminding me of Paul’s picture of we Gentiles being grafted into the spiritual Israel.
Thank God for his unspeakable gift!!
Mark

======= Stacey:

With regards to Ps 44:3 “They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them.”
It is so good to remember to look to the Lord for His smile and His favor in life. This Psalm shows the fulfillment of the Aaronic blessing said over the people time and time again. Remember that these were the same people called hard hearted and rebellious. In the midst of all of their rebellion and sin, God told Aaron to bless them with this blessing from Numbers 6:22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: May the LORD bless you and protect you.May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’
27This is how Aaron and his sons will designate the Israelites as my people,and I myself will bless them.”
I am thinking this morning about how important it is for us to pray for blessing for our families and communities. Even though those around us may seem hard hearted and rebellious, will you take up the challenge to pray this blessing over them daily as I am committed now to do? For I want to see victory in my family and my community. I want very much to see the changes manifested when God shows them favor and smiles upon them.
Stacey

======= Richard:

I believe in the relationship of prayer and living. For years I thought that I was the master of my own destiny and that all that happened to me was…well because of me. Is that not how we are trained these days? Take control of your life! I got so distorted in my thinking that I blamed all the bad in my life at the foot of my Lord. “How could you allow this to happen! Just leave me alone!” It was at this time I noticed that through his grace he granted me this request. He left me alone… My life was a mess and mistakes were many. All my low points in life were the result of answered prayers. He let me walk alone and man did I fall! Needless to say, even when bad things happen I no longer ask Him to leave me alone, but beg him to pick me up! Human pride is sometimes unavoidable when interacting with other humans…but it has no place in a relationship with Christ Jesus.
Your in Christ
Richard

======= Micah Girl:

I am looking for a lenten discipline to take up…perhaps a special prayer time like the Divine Hours or some kind of special Lectio Divina. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Micah Girl

======= Cory:

Micah Girl,
I’ll ditto the Divine Hour suggestion. There is a volume that focuses on Lent, and my friend even found it at Barnes & Noble.
Cory

======= Anka:

Hi Micah,what do you mean by lenten disciple?
Bless you,
Anka

======= Micah Girl:

Anka–
By Lenten discipline I mean something that I start doing for the 40 days of Lent like a special kind of prayer or specific bible readings, rather than something I give up for 40 days, like chocolate.
Micah Girl

======== Katie:

I can totally see that God has made things work good for me, where I had no power at all in them. Even recently, I was walking in a way that could have really hurt me and made bad things happen to myself and people I love. But when I repented, immediately the Lord turned things around, and the same negative things have turned into a blessing and God is being glorified.
Like your question, “God is absolutely there” and is taking care. I know I’m talking a little bit it circles…(some things just don’t need to be shared…:) )…. but I want to give praise and glory to Jesus for His love, faithfulness, mercy and grace!
…not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them…Psalm 44:3b
amen, hallelujah!
Katie

======= Gina:

Lev 22:32 stood out for me this morning….”Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” – Sometimes we can get carried away with our use of God’s name…it’s so “normal” in today’s socitety to say “Oh my God” and not even bat an eye! But really, to me, that is using God’s name flippantly…with total disregard and disrespect for who He is and His holiness.
Seeing the disciples argue just makes me realize that they were just men also. Sometimes I tend to want to put the 12 on a sort of pedistal…like Jesus chose them because they were all spiritual and sutff…but so many times we see them acting just like we do! Yet Jesus chose them anyway! That’s grace!
Looking back on my life, I know, without a doubt that God had His hand all over it! There are so many things that can only be explained by the power and grace of God especially when my husband and I were separated for 2 years. All the “roadblocks” that kept delaying our divorce were definitely from God! And I praise Him now for that because we got to tear up our divorce papers before it happened!! God brought us back together and made us one flesh again – those verses in Mark about divorce are special to me because when I was beginning my search for God, it was the same time we were separated. I knew after reading those verses and some others that God was saying NO to divorce and YES to getting back with my husband!! God worked it all out perfectly! We are better than we ever were – Praise be to God!
The verse in Proverbs is very true! The sin of exageration!! It’s so easy to take a little story and make it much bigger either to make yourself look better or someone else look bad!! Gossip – this reminds me of gossip also! Ooooo it can be so easy to want to share something we know is not edifying – and we can try to justify it by saying “well it’s the truth!” I always try to ask myself “would I say this exact thing in the same tone of voice or manner if all people involved were standing here with me??” Most likely the answer is NO! So it’s better to just keep my mouth shut!!! :0)
Gina

======= Angie:

as for me, i’m trying very hard to slow down on my swearing and using gods name in vain. but with having worked in a factory for over 11 years, i have a factory mouth. and i’ve realized, its not only disrespectful to god, but to myself. what kind of person am i showing to people when i say F word all the time? not a very classy one for that matter. i know when i get really angry, i throw out the F word quite frequently. like the other day, i wrote to a very dear friend of mine and said it quite often cuz i was so angry, (and had every right to be over my stepson and husband), but never, EVER, have i went back and apologized for all the swearing i did. until the other night. and she told me she really appreciated it. just little things like that i’m noticing about myself and the changes. i still swear, i always have. even my first word was sh…(you fill in the last two letters). but i’m trying to change that. and its hard. but instead of saying god (in vain), i’m trying to say, gosh instead, or oh my goodness. i’m still working on it. and where i work at now, i really have to be careful of the choice words i say to the customers since i no longer work in a factory. i’m dealing with the public now. so i am trying to say, gosh, or darn, and that kind of thing. or keep it to myself!!!!!!!! lol!
i know what you mean gina by when you say that god had a hand in everything that happens. my dad tells me, god has a plan for all of us, we just follow it. he gives us the directions and we follow. that all things happen for a reason and we learn from it all. sometimes we don’t get the answers we want right away or we say, why didnt’ we think of that before and why did i have to struggle with it then and not now? cuz i feel that god wanted us to think for ourselves then he helped us when we went to him. the more i let him in, the more he helps me it seems like. sometimes i still wonder why he let the things happend that has happened and maybe i’ll never know. me and my husband almost got a divorce also almost 6 years ago. but it never came about. now, we’re doing better with our marriage. its still not the greatest but its better. i’m happier than i was 6 years ago thats for sure!!!!! and just everything in general too, all the rotten things that have happened, happened for a reason. talking in circles i think here, but i’m starting to understand a few things now and make better sense out of it all. and i look back now and realize what a blessing it is to have god in my life and know that i am very lucky and fortunate person. sometimes i think my life is crap and i start to look around or i hear things about other people who have it much worst than i do and start realizing how lucky i am. and i can’t just pick one or two instances because all of them have been a blessing. and all of them have been from god.
proverbs stuck out to me today. i’m learning to keep my mouth shut, (very hard for me to do when i’m so opinionated and a big mouth) but i’m learning to listen more. to people around me and also god. so far, its working but i still need a lot of work!!!!
Angie

======== Mae:

Mark 9:50 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.” ~ I had to read this verse a couple of times before I really realized what it was about. Thought it was a headscratcher LOL Basicly it sais I have to flavor my relationships, so it won’t loose it’s flavor. Keeping the relationships flavored, means I have to maintain my relationships, in order to live in peace with everybody. If I stop maintaining, I stop the relationship … Just like the relationship I have with God. Without maintanance (going to 3 services a week, joining the coffeehouse on Saturdaynight, having my biblestudies, preaching the Gospel on the streets) I will drift away from God. I need to stay awake in this, especially with the attacks from the enemy. I need to feel God’s power, I need to feel the Holy Spirit, that makes me strong! It brings me to another verse that stood out for me Psalm 44:6 “Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes”. I love to feel His power! It makes me strong! I can feel eternity in myself, it’s just so awesome to have a strong relationship with the Lord!!!!
God has absolutely been there all of my life. Jesus Christ knocked on my door plenty of times before I finally let Him save me. Ever since I became a Christian I can feel He has a plan for me. I can see clearly He has something special in mind for me and my family. And this plan was always there! When I look back on my life I can see God’s work, but also satan who kept me away from Him. My sins stood in the way from God. The good things in my life were defenitly not only my work, God really blessed my life through all of those good things. Satan still attacks me a lot, but my faith in God makes me strong, and that’s my power working, if I hadn’t been that strong, satan would pull me away from God. God makes me strong, my faith in Him makes me feel I can overcome anything! I’m not afraid anymore!!!
Mae

====== Jenny:

Jesus’ analogy of salt is awesome. salt is used for flavoring and as a preservative alot in those days. we who are His are called to be the salt of the world. we are to full of life and zest for his name’s sake. we are also called to be called to be godly and be a preservative in our society. some ppl just hate christians, we are supposedly a bunch of hypocrites and haters, so they think. but look at the world, Christians built most the hospitals, orphanages, christians step up and care when people are in need (not all, but in general). of course then are many kind non-christians who do have godly characteristics, bcos we were all made in His likeness.
Jesus was the ultimate servant! he was lowly, a many of many sorrows. He was our example! he took pity on the poor, He loved to heal (still does, but referring to His life on earth) and He was humble. Like that picture of Him washing the disciples feet the night before His crucifixion. He even washed judas iscariot’s feet knowing he was about to betray Him. When he did betray Him, Jesus still called Judas His friend.
I’ve never been married so i cant comment too much on the divorce issue. marriage sounds like its very hard, maybe the single life is for me =)
Regarding Prov. I’ve never regretted biting my tongue!! i can talk alot and sometimes i wish i could muzzle myself, lol. But i love to listen to others more, if my friend calls and walks to talk non stop for an hour, i love to listen. I’m happy to sit back and let others talk, and when you give them that chance, they do. some ppl are terribly shy so i feel like i gotta keep talking, but I much rather hear what others say. i think my favorite thing in the world is to overhear people talking about the Lord. like if i’m at a restaurant and the ppl next to me are talking about the Lord, i just want to sit and listen. It delights God’s heart so much when he overhears us talking about Him!
God has always had His hand on my life, like everyone else commented about. even the bad things, God was preparing me, for divine appointment and then to grow me. it may have been VERY painful at the time…in fact I’ve had more pain in my life then good, not that i’m a sad person (some of you know i had a very tough week) but i think we learn from the pain. There’s poem i love, not sure who its by:
“I walked a mile with Pleasure, she chattered all the way; But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say……
I walked a mile with Sorrow, and ne’er a word said she; But, oh, the things I learned from her, when Sorrow walked with me!”
Its so true, we learn though our pain. But i long for the rivers of joy…I love The Valley Song by Jars of Clay, “I will sing of your mercy that leads me through valleys of sorrow to rivers of joy”.
thats a GREAT song to listen to when your hurting.
I love Psalms, it is NEVER our strength, our faith, its HIS strength, His power. After we come to Him, we need to empty ourselves. We have nothing to boast of in ourselves, not our faith, not our strength, no way. My family who knows the hard life i had often say: your so strong, you overcame so much. your so full of perseverance!
NOOOO! wrong! I am NOT strong, i am weak and only by god’s love and mercy does he see me through! To be blunt, without Christ, I wouldnt pulled the trigger on myself by now! I’m fragile, weak…once about 8 yrs ago i was clutching a bottle of prescription pills, should i down them? I just prayed GOD, HELP ME! I CANT DO THIS. DONT LET ME GO, PLEASE, I CANT HOLD ON ANYMORE, SO DONT LET GO OF ME! He told me, I will never let you go! Its not MY grip on Christ that saves me, its His grip on me! When i let go, He doesnt!
Jenny

======= Laverne:

I never understood this piece of scripture until my church had its 3 yr anniversary last year. My pastor asked me to be the Armor Bearer of the Bishop of our Sister & Brother church out of state. I was a nervous wreck. I read I Timothy I believe, and then did a search. Then I met with my pastor and she explained what I needed to do for the Bishops. At first I thought is this all she thinks of me? Why can’t I do something important. So many analogies ran through my head. “In order to be first the next time around I had to be last, this time”. Our Bishops were entrusted to me this was important. I realized the honor in being an armor bearer. So if I need to take last place I am fine with that.
—————————
God hand has definitely been ALL over my life. I would not be alive had it not been for my Lord. I would not have been able to say this in 1990, I was too busy running the streets. Now I know all those time without my knowledge, I could have dodged a bullet, an argument, or oncoming traffic, but I know God was saving me even when I was too stupid to save myself. My constant prayer in this life is that I can make it as LONG as God continues to head my life and keep His hands on me. Ang, Mae and Jenny I love your prayers and I agree…
—————————
The verse that stood out the most to me today was Mark 9:
” 30They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it”
– The disciples in this scene remind me of me. Many times in my conversations with Jesus I am afraid to ask, so I don’t. It’s not that I fear the answer or that I fear my Lord, its because I am afraid to have & the thing, and like the disciples afterwards I am sorry.
Laverne

======= Skip:

I think that not only the good things that have occurred to me but I believe that everything that has occurred to me was made possible by the hand of God and the blessings that He chose to bestow upon me. As I look back over my life I can see why certain events happened in my life that prepared me for where I am today. If it hadn’t been for those events I wouldn’t be who I am or be doing what I’m doing; and most of all being happier than I’ve ever been. I attribute it all to God and His blessings. I have been truly blessed in all ways. I have a wonderful family and many wonderful friends. I have a great job that I love, a house that is almost mine that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I have transportation to get me where I want to go. I have the freedom to read and write whatever I want and I have the freedom to worship God in whatever way I want. I thank God every single day for all the blessings that He has given me. I don’t deserve them and I don’t take advantage of them because I also know that He can take them away anytime He pleases. Thank you my dear Lord and God for all the blessings that you’ve given me and show me where and how to share them with other people.
God gives us two ears and one mouth for a reason. I love the picture of the basset hound! :-{D It is so true. We all need to learn how to listen twice and much as we talk. My dad taught me about this with a bit of rewording. He taught me that when our mouths are open, our ears are closed. I find that so true. When we are talking or especially interrupting, we are not listening. We all need to listen much more.
Yours in Christ
Skip

======= Heather:

Thanks so much for the calendar information!
Heather

======= Elizabeth:

Hello,
I followed the link over to the article on Jewish feasts this morning (Curtis’s “the Lord’s Appointed Times) Interesting reading. He makes a case that the OT celebrations line up thematically with the message of the NT and suggests that we consider incorporating them (not under the law, but as a way of recalling to mind the tenants of our faith and teaching our children these).
I don’t know if I’m rushing out to celebrate the Jewish holidays this year, but I will mull this over some more. Especially since Passover is close to Easter this year… It may be nice to celebrate this feast with our children–to connect it to the Last Supper & our deliverance through Christ from slavery to sin. All in all, the article was good food for thought.
I particularly liked his point that many aspects of these holidays are sensory and object lessons that communicate spiritual truths in tangible ways—especially to children.
Curtis also helped me to understand the Jewish calendar a little better:
“The Jewish Calendar, however, is based on the relative motion of both the moon and the sun. It is, therefore, called a luni-solar calendar. Since it is based on the moon, the first of every month coincides with a new moon and the fifteenth of every month coincides with a full moon. In other words, each month is defined by the phases of the moon. The Jewish Calendar keeps the months and their respective seasons together by the insertion of leap months. This means that most years have twelve months, but some have thirteen. The whole system has a nineteen-year cycle. It is more accurate than our solar calendar, but it’s more difficult to follow. The Jewish calendar does not mark the first day of spring, summer, fall, or winter. The primary markers in the Jewish Calendar are the holidays.” -Donald Curtis
Elizabeth

======= Briggs:

Looking back on my life I see clearly that the Lord has blessed me in spite of the decisions and courses of action that I have chosen.
Before I accepted the Lord I lived a very foolish life, utterly lost, reveling in ignorance and self-destruction. Not mean-spirited or even necessarily selfish, sometimes I think decidedly selfless, but just utterly ignorant and unbound. Almost as if I were convulsing in the throes of death and urging it on, yet completely deceived at that present time of the death that I was welcoming, encouraging and proliferating. Why would the Lord reach in at His peril and pull me out of this? Why me and not others?
After accepting the Lord and since then slowly but increasingly seeking His will for my life, I still make many mistakes in judgment but He is ever faithful and lovingly corrects me and prospers me in spite of my continued ignorance and lack of faith; mostly with good intent and yet still sometimes not.
Briggs

======= Sheena:

I look back at all of the good things that have happened to me, and I definitely see God doing them. For a long time I didn’t recognize that it was God, but lately I’ve begun to see him working as he works, which is really cool, and helps me when I get impatient or don’t get the answer I want.
Sheena

======= Steve:

Leviticus 22:17-23:44
The link Mike provided “The Lord’s Appointed Times” is a wonderful article written by Donald E. Curtis. It’s about Leviticus chapter 23, The Appointed Festivals. In the article Donald breakdown the festivals and explains the Holidays as both of Commemoration and Expectation. I appreciated how he pointed out how they’re interwoven through the past, the present and the future of our calendar and the Jewish calendar. The summer festivals are the past (Old Testament) and the winter festivals are future (New Testament) as in the events described in prophecy such as the book of Revelation. I must admit, when I read Leviticus 22:17-23:44 before I read this article, I didn’t get nearly as much out of it until Donald’s article which increased my understanding of the Festivals.
I’ve gone through the bible on my own and using reading plans but going through the bible here at One Year Bible Blog is outstanding thanks to Mike’s faithfulness, diligence and just plain hard work. Thanks again Mike for the insight and connections you provide each and every day that help us connect the dots.
Steve

======= Frederick:

Leviticus 23:15-16
15 “‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.
The impression I get from these verses is that our God is a God of both work and partying. Our God laid down festivals to the Israelite to celebrate, e.g. Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the first month. He also allowed time for the Israelite to work (7 full weeks). Then, God ask them to enjoy the festival with Him again (e.g. Festival of Weeks).
Frederick

======= Cathy:

Psalm 44:3 was so powerful. We cannot even count all the blessings we have on our everyday life. Nothing is done because our personal power or knowledge. God is so powerful. Just look at the breath we have everyday. He is merciful, merciful…. I feel it everyday and time..
Have a blessing day.
Cathy

======= Bob:

I try to follow the Christian year order that many churches will also practice to various degrees. It gives yearly order to our formation with Christ incarnate in his ministry death, burial, resurrection and coming again through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost. Unfortunately, I don’t think we are as “festive” as the Levitical People but we can become a counter cultural witness and have opportunity to draw closer to Jesus at these times through the year.
I like how Ramona caught the ordinances and blessings God allowed for those “others”.
Bob

======= Carol:

Oh yes, it is only due to God, His patience, love and His protective hand that I am here today. He is my all ‘n all and I owe everything to His kind mercies!!
Mark 9:35….. very convicting!! Also convicting, bringing our best to God … not our leftovers, not an afterthought, but the firstfruits and the best!
Carol

======= Liz:

When I read in Leviticus about the sin and guilt offerings that God required for unintentional sin, it makes me ponder what he must think of intentional sin. Pride in your sin is a very egregious affront to a holy God. If there was/is no grace other than sacrifice (now Jesus’ sacrifice) for “unintentional” sin, the wages of intentional sin and pride is destruction (death) without repentance. I think the grace movement may be leading people to a false understanding of a just God.
Liz

======= Janet:

Thank you for the encouragement to keep going , as it takes me a good hour to put aside in the morning , if I leave the reading until evening ,I probably would get behind , I always feel so encouraged by this blog and my day would not be the same if I did not start of with this total time in gods word . Thank you and God Bless all who put the one year bible together.
Janet

======= Mick:

What has stood out to me in the readings of Leviticus is that God wants our best not second best. I am convicted in that I try to figure out how I am going to have time to read God’s word and time to go to church- when instead of trying how to fit God into my life and schedule. This thought and process is totally wrong. It should be how am I going to fit my life into my God. Leviticus shows me that life of God’s people was fit into their God and only and always the best was given to Him. I pray that I can have the same passion and love for God, and give him my first bests.
Mick

======= Marcia:

It’s awesome to see the wisdom and care of God through the law. While the law could never save humans, it shows such involvement, care and shepherding by God to His people. I’m reminded how much we need direction from God, while we are not bound by law and we don’t earn anything in relationship to God, He still give us His counsel because we are “like sheep” and so prone to wander. We too are called to remember and to specific actions that help us worship, obey and witness to Christ…for His glory and our benefit. What an awesome God we serve!
Marcia

======= Robert:

Festivals
I agree with you Ramona that God loves a party. During Covid, I have really noticed how much I miss them too. Our church had a monthly potluck usually with a theme and it was a wonderful way to get to talk to your friends. There was always worship, music and prayer. In many ways I wished our Gentile Churches would celebrate more of the Old Testament feasts and other sacred days that Mike mentions.
In his commentary Donald Curtis says, “The Lord communicates His truth in diverse ways. The holy days tell and show the great truths of God’s salvation, His love, and His plans. “
I particularly liked when he talked about how a Sunday was a day of rest and how it is described by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her series Little House on the Prairie. I remember growing up in the 1950s and doing some of these things but now……I think we have lost it.
In Donald’s conclusion, “Should the Church of Jesus Christ celebrate these things? Four times in Leviticus 23 we are told, “It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.” Of course, the command is addressed to the Jews. On the other hand, these appointed times testify over and over again about the past and future work of our Lord. Should we not make room for the principal ones like Passover, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles? These speak of three major doctrines of our faith: the Death of Jesus for our sins, His return, and His coming Kingdom. Think how clearly these holidays speak of these truths, because they are free from the secular clamor that surrounds Christmas and Easter. Besides, as I said above, the Feast of Tabernacles appears to be the big international holiday of the Millennial Kingdom.”
Robert

======= Mitch:

OT – God brought Israelites out of slavery, listed some rules, and they said “Yes Lord”. Now they are to obey – not always knowing “why”. Do we as believing Christians do the same? It is tough and we probably falter as much or more as the Israelites ended up doing as told in the Bible.
NT – Been thinking: Jesus has now told them twice about impending death and resurrection. Disciples did not get it – maybe because Jewish faith believed in resurrection of bodies at the end of days. Coming back after three days was strange idea to those guys.
40% of Americans do not believe in hell – 20% of Christian subgroups do not believe in hell. Everyone likes the idea of heaven, but some not so much hell.
Girl in pageant was asked position on same sex marriage. She replied, ‘I am a Christian and a follower of Jesus Christ – he said: “one man, one woman, United as one, for one lifetime.’ When people have an issue with that -it is not with me, their issue is with Jesus Christ..
Mitch

======== Dee:

Before I get get started Amen, Amen! Ramona. God does love a party and He loves to show out in His love and admiration and adornment for His children. I love to have get togethers in His name. Just last night, I had a womens bible study review based on a book by Elizabeth George, A Woman’s High Calling. Ten Essentials to Godly Living. I get so excited about these get togethers. The food is nice and fellowship. However the annointing in the place is unbelievable. We had 5 precious ladies come to this and I just tell you that it is a party and a rejoicing time in heaven I believe when you are being diligent to God’s work, you are serving others so to speak with the Word and opening your home to new and old believers. Wow!! I laughed at todays Proverbs 10:19: Too much talk leads to sin, Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. In our study book in Chapter 3 from last nights get together, it talks about slander and malicious talk and that speech of that nature comes straight from Satan. It gave 4 steps to avoid too much talk that I thought I would share with you guys. It is the 4 T’s to live by: Time: don’t waste or have too much idle time, keep too busy so that way you won’t run to the phone or neighbors and tattle or be a busy body. Telephone: keep off the phone as much as possible, in fact Elizabeth George says to keep a daily time to return calls, she chooses 11:30-12 and 5:00-5:30, that way most people are doing lunch, and getting home or preparing dinner so they are short for talk anyway. Talk: when you do talk to people, keep it short and sweet, that way you won’t invite in “other” topics of gossip or slander into the conversation. and last one is: Tarry: which means, don’t be so sudden to answer or respond back to someone, it’s ok to say, “Let me think or pray on it awhile and I will get back to you”. 4 T’s, Time, Telephone, Talk and Tarry. Keep those and it will help all of us to be not slanderous and foolish people! Amen!! God Bless you guys, take care!
Dee

Leviticus 19:1-20:21 + Mark 8:11-38 + Psalm 42:1-11 + Proverbs 10:17
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 19 we read about holiness!  What a tiny but powerful little word – holy.  This chapter is of interest to me in that I continue to struggle with the call to holiness in my life.  I understand grace.  I get grace.  I’m good at receiving grace…  🙂  But holiness?  Well, that’s a bit trickier for me personally.  I guess where I am at these days in my walk with the Lord is really trying to balance grace and holiness.  I know we are saved through grace, not works – but, I also believe there is a call to holiness in our lives once we have received that gift of grace.   You know I love Bob Deffinbaugh’s writings over at bible.org.  I think Bob’s writings on Leviticus chapter 19 titled “How to Spell Holy” at this link is up there with some of his best stuff.  Please check out this link, and make sure you scroll down to read about Bob’s take on “perversions of holiness” – 1. stained glass holiness 2. positional holiness 3. equating holiness with the miraculous 4. isolational holiness 5. holiness by redefinition.  Great stuff!

You’ll notice lately that I’ve been punting over to Bob on many of the Leviticus chapters.   I’m honestly not finding as much time as I’d like to spend on study & prep as I’d like lately. But, I also think Bob’s writings on Leviticus are powerful – and so here he is on Leviticus chapter 20 at this link.  Actually, one quick powerful note on Leviticus 19:18 – “Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”  Jesus quoted the underlined portion of this Leviticus verse as we see in Matthew 22:36-40: “”Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, ” `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

New Testament – The last few verses in Mark’s readings today are some of the most powerful verses that each of us should really reflect upon in our lives today! I wish I reflected on these verses more often.  Check out chapter 8 verses 34 through 38 and spend a few moments really reflecting on these verses and on how they speak to how you are living your life today: “Then Jesus called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul? If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels.”

These are incredible verses above!  I think the first obvious question these verses open up to us is simply this – do you want to be a follower of Jesus?   If the answer is yes, then the instructions that follow are simple and yet not always so easy in our fallen world:  1.  give up your own selfish ambition.  2. shoulder your cross.  3.  follow Jesus.  How are you doing on these 3 points in your life today?   And what a profound truth there is in that we will find true life if we give up our life for Jesus – the Good News.  I actually have been thinking about this point quite a bit lately.  And my thoughts have revolved around “my identity” – and where I get my identity from.  I think so often I get my identity from my work or my ministry or my friends or my social life – the problem in all of this is that you’ll keep seeing the word “my” in my identity.  And I’m realizing more and more that my identity should be in Jesus alone.  Jesus should be the identity.  The reality.  I think that I am really searching for true life in all the wrong places – in my work, in my friends, etc.  And true true life is really only found in one place – Jesus.  How about you?  What is providing your identity in your life today?  Do you think it is possible that your identity could simply be found in Jesus?  Do you want this to be the case?   I think each of us will do well to not be ashamed of Jesus and the Good News in these adulterous and sinful days…  Below is an interesting diagram showing Christian levels of commitment, suggesting that verses Mark 8:34-38 are the “conviction” stage highlighted below.  Which stage of commitment do you think you are at today?

Psalms – Today we read Psalm 42 verse 1, which is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! “As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”  That is so right on.  Lately these days I have been longing for God more than ever – and I love that.  I am thankful for that.  There have been seasons in my life – which can certainly be called “dry” seasons – where I have not longed for God.  Where I have not longed for the true Living Water.  I just love the picture this Psalm verse paints in my mind – a deer in the wilderness is fleeing from hunters.  It is literally dying of thirst as it runs.  It is tired.  It is weary.  It is running from death.  And it needs water.  It pants for streams of water.  Like this deer, I pray that I long for God in the same way.  As I flee from sin.  As I am tired.  As I am weary.  As I run from death.  I need God.  I long for God.   How about you?  Do you long for God these days as a deer longs for water?  Are you consistently drinking from the true Living Water?

Proverbs – Proverbs 10 verse 17 is a wonderful reminder to allow God to change us, transform us and correct us along the Way: “People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.”  The second part of that Proverb is powerful too – if we don’t accept correction, we’ll not only be off the pathway, but we will be leading others astray too…  that’s a scary thought.  If you don’t accept correction, you’ll be bringing others down with you!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the song “Tear off the Roof” by Brandon Lake:

Has Jesus torn off the roof for you? Click here!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7-8 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that the deep within you will call out to the Deep that is God today. Pray that God’s waves and breakers of Living Water will sweep over you today and forevermore.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Proverbs 10:17 today, do you accept correction in your life?  Do you accept correction from God?  Do you accept correction from others in your life?  Do you think that if you don’t accept correction in your life that you will lead others astray?  Can you think of an instance in your life where you ignored correction and it ended up being bad for not only you, but others around you?  Can you think of an instance in your life where you heeded correction and it ended up being good for not only you, but others around you?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:

Leviticus 19:1-20:21
I click on the links to read Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary on both the 19th and 20th chapter of Leviticus and I like Mike, love his writing and the spirit in which he writes so lovingly and plainly.
I believe Mike has asked the question before in one of his comments but I don’t remember the date or the passage but perhaps it was at the beginning of Leviticus. I know that holiness is not just rituals, clothing and practices; holiness is a lifestyle, a way of thinking and being. For holiness to be achieved one must allow God in to direct your life because without the presence of God all you will have is the appearance of godliness but holiness will be far from you.
In the 20th chapter we find this, 7 So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I, the LORD, am your God. 8 Keep all my laws and obey them, for I am the LORD, who makes you holy.
What we have read in these two chapters are for a people to do in setting themselves “apart” from those around them, but it is God who makes us holy. There is nothing in and of ourselves that makes us holy. We are required to prepare ourselves by lifestyle choices, by changing the way we think and redefining our relationships with our neighbors and friends under the guidelines God has set, but then it is God that comes into our lives and imparts holiness.
There is also something in this 20th chapter that has caused me great trouble, not the edicts but the “problem,” and that is “devoting children to the god of Molech as a burnt offering.” What troubles me is we believe we don’t do this to our children because we don’t actually place our children on a sacrificial alter and light the fire, literally; however, we, as a nation, do this to our children figuratively and symbolically. When a child is sacrificed to Molech, it is for the benefit of the adult doing the sacrificing to insure their prosperity for future endeavors.
When children are neglected because parents feel they are a drain on their resources or because it is inconvenient or costly to invest their time, talent and resources into these little ones, who did not ask to be born, we are in effect placing these little ones on Molech’s alter. We sacrifice the children on the alters of our personal pleasures, lust and desires.
A good friend reminded me about a year ago that it was an alter of Molech and an alter of Chemosh that King Solomon built to honor his many foreign wives (1 Kings 11:7). Both were gods of Lot’s descendents conceived from incest. Chemosh required “sex” upon his alter with temple prostitutes, male and female, and Molech required child sacrifices. It seems that indiscriminant sex outside of the bonds of marriage produce a society that will sacrifice its children for the furtherance of its own pleasure and lusts. Placed in this context one can see that God honors the “marriage bed” and requires the two parties that have become one to be responsible for the children sexual intercourse produces unlike the other gods. Placed in this context one can see why Leviticus 19 and 20 are so very important.
Mark 8:11-38
27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
“Who do people say I am?” That is the most important question. What matters is not what someone else thinks but what you think. I believe one must follow Jesus out of a personal commitment and belief, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) You can’t come on your church’s faith, you can’t come on your mom’s, dads, grandmas or grandpa’s faith, God doesn’t have grand kids.
My desire for everyone who comes to this site that they receive a revelation of who Jesus is, Amen
Psalm 42:1-11
Do I “pant” for God like a deer who has traveled miles to reach the watering hole? Or do I just stick my tongue in just enough to keep my lips from getting chapped? Is my desire for God so strong that I know that I know if I don’t drink deeply I will die from thirst? Am I trying to quench my thirst on the soft drinks of life that contain sugar, caffeine and phosphates but no God? How I want to desire God as that deer desiring the water that will sustain it to live another day.
Proverbs 10:17
Do I have a teachable spirit? Teach-ability is the only way one will be able to receive correction. Am I on that pathway of life or am I leading others into the microwave oven to be zapped?
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Rob:

mike, i love what you say about mark – this is the key pivot in the gospel as it divides quite well into two. up until peters confession of jesus as Christ it has been about the fact that the Christ has come – ‘the kingdom if God is among you… 1v15′. but now Jesus turns the story and says that the Christ must die. This is something Peter cannot grasp – possibly because like us he hasn’t grasped the die-to-live, last-shall-be-first, upside-down nature of the kingdom.
Ironicall the first guy in the gospel to achieve a synthesis of these two halves (incarnated God and dying God) is the centurtion at the cross, who looks at Jesus’ corpse and says ‘truly this may was the son of god’. as i meditate on this, i am reminded of the cross i need to bear myself.
rob

======= Luch:

I loved Leviticus 19:32 “Show your fear of God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the LORD.” The point is that a mark of genuine holiness beyond just the ‘practices/disciplines’ of holiness is to respect the elderly, to treat them in a ‘godly’ way. To not see them as an interruption to our lives but to see them as people who really matter to God. One of my sons works in a home for ‘seniors’ and he gets to be “Jesus” to these people who sometime think the world has forgotten them.
Two of the best books on HOliness that i have read are The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges (Navpress) and R.C. sproul’s The Holiness of God. These two very helpful ‘classics’ are readable to every generation.
Luch

======= Micah Girl:

These 2 verses really hit me today in Leviticus 19–
15 ” ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
People often lean so far “right” or “left” politically that they favor the rich or favor the poor. We are called on to judge fairly, regardless of position!
17 ” ‘Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
This is a challenge. Rather than holding onto a grudge or a judgment against someone, we are supposed to rebuke the person frankly and face the conflict honestly, otherwise we share in their guilt. Wow.
Micah Girl

======= Gina:

I can’t wait to read “How to spell Holy” from the link you gave! Holines is something I struggle with lately also.”Be Holy because I am Holy” – In the place I am right now in my walk with God, I don’t “feel” like I can be Holy enough. Does that make sense? I also think I’m still having a bit of an issue with the Grace thing. I get it in my head, but can’t seem to get out of the “I have to do something to get something” mode. Grace is FREE…the price has been paid…I get it all in my head, but for some reason it’s stuck there. I refuse to give up though – my freedom is in Jesus and it’s coming! Jesus won’t leave us the way we are, He keeps changing us so I know my victory is coming soon!
“What is providing your identity in your life today? Do you think it is possible that your identity could simply be found in Jesus? Do you want this to be the case?
…..I think for me that this changes – not that it should – but sometimes my identity is in Jesus, but sometimes I get off track and it does come from other stuff. Like the readings from yesterday about squandering our money – I have for many years found my identity in the things I had. I think Mae mentioned lots of brand names of clothing that pretty much covered it! I too had to have the newest, latest styles … and I love shoes! hahahahahaha! But now, because of some of those actions, my husband is in a job that keeps him away from home all but 4 days out of each month – we need his salary (and mine) to pay our debt…FOOLISH! We have and are taking drastic measures in our life right now to change this. We both want Jesus to be our identity – not our jobs, or how much stuff or money we have. Just Jesus – – So yes, I believe our identity can be simply found in Jesus alone.
What stood out for me in Mark is where the disciples are kind of freaking out because they forgot the bread…how quickly they forgot who they are with!! Jesus has to remind them of what he did before with the loaves and fish…I know I do the same thing at times! I forget just how BIG our God is and I go into panic mode! What a great reminder that I God is always in control and I am safe as long as I have Him in me!
About correction – well, I hate being corrected but since I’ve been saved, I’ve learned that it is such a good thing! Correction from God is good – He always deals with me personally before He “goes public” (haha) – I’m thankful for that! There are many times in my life that I ignored correction – however, I’m learning to listen to Him more and heed His correction. It’s so much easier to do life the way Jesus wants us to – so much easier!
Gina

======= Angie:

i’m like you gina, i hate being corrected. but i know theres sometimes that i need to be. but along with trying to be more open, i’m starting to listen all the way around. not just one area.
again, i loved psalms. it did however really bother me though how it said picture the deer running from the hunters, trying to escape death. one, i’m an animal rights activist. i truly love animals and am a vegetrian now. i can’t stand the thought of an animal being hunted and also killed. but this reminds me of me. i have dreams where i’m being chased and have no where to go, just like the deer. i’m also tired and scared, and weary. but knowing now that god is there for me, and to protect me, i don’t have them dreams of being chased like i once did. and boy do i know bout being in “dry” seasons. i’ve gotten so angry at god that for a while i shut him completely out. i was wrong for doing that and i feel bad about it.
Angie

======= Mae:

I love what you wrote Gina – He always deals with me personally before He “goes public” … I know exactly what you mean!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord for that, eh?
Mark was very powerful today!
Verse 8:33 stood out for me “Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” ~ I mean … wow, when was the last time Jesus called you satan??? Yikes … This tells me to trust 100% in Jesus Christ. Follow His path and instructions! Don’t get scared, don’t get insecure, those are signs that satan is trying to run you over. Verse 34 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me”. ~ Pretty amazing and so clear … I have to memorize this verse. You know, I do know it all … I KNOW IT. But at times it seems so easy to be caught up in work and spending too much time with unsaved friends. Now I’m thinking of it, it’s like I’m a baby save in it’s play-pen with God watching over me, once in a while He’s checking if I can handle myself outside of the play-pen … but what do I do? Running towards the coffeetable, grab everything I get my hands on, run around the house, see if I can reach the candyjar which I can hardly reach, but yes … I get it and BAMMMMMMM it falls right on my head and it hurts like crazy. And then overwhelmed in pain and guilt I look around if God is there to put me back in my play-pen, where it’s save. Sometimes it feels that I get too much at once; the enemy attacks me and on every point he does. Work, my relatives and friends … in every corner there’s an attack and sometimes it’s too hard to handle. And sometimes I look for Him too late to put me back in my play-pen. I must stop to look around, I must turn from my selfish ways, take up the cross and follow Him!
“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it”. (verse 35)
Today I’m on cloud 9 … I’m smiling all day long and it seems like I slept with a hanger in my mouth. My dad was saved last night … Praise the Lord!!! He’s so good!!!!!! In a matter of 6 weeks time, my husband and my parents got saved. I’m so happy!!! For myself LOL AND for them! My father has Parkinson’s Disease and I know God will help my dad. He’s going to do wonderful things for my dad, I’m soooo sure!!!
Mae

======= Jenny:

I loved Psalms today, it really spoke to me. I am so weary and i just long for Him. He’s all that matters. I’m desperately wanting to be with Him! To know Him more, to just dwell with Him.
As for identity, all I can think of in the question, who am I? I’ am God’s child. Made by Him and made for Him. Anything else I pursue is eternally worthless. Christ is in me and I belong to Him. My heart my soul my will, take it all. I have nothing but Christ and He is everything I need and more. Though i sorrow and am exhausted, my hope is in Him alone. God my king, save me from my troubled heart!
Jenny

======= Katie:

I am in the process of “accepting correction” right now – from the Holy Spirit… I know that if I don’t accept it, I would be in the process of leading other astray. and that’s one of the things I want LEAST in my whole life.
thank you Lord for leading me in Your ways!
and thank you,writer of the blog, for your insight! God bless you today!
Katie

======= Aaron:

What wonderful message today. It actually took me to Malachi 3:2-4, being put through the refiners fire… I am learning that what God is doing in our lives is a process… being the the impatient one I am, it is difficult for me to wait on the Lord, but I am learning and the rewards are great.
Thanks for posting this
God Bless
Aaron

======= Karen:

I would just emphasize that He said, ‘I am the Lord, I am God.’ I think we would do well to listen to Him.
Karen

======= Margaret:

I really related today to the drawing of “Levels of Commitment”. I had not seen it before and realized that I’m not at the top of the drawing where I hope one day to be. I’m still a “work in progress”.
Margaret

======= Anna:

First I would like to thank you for a wonderful job giving points of reflection on every day readings.
Today’s reading on Leviticus made me think how God selected his people. He asked them to change many things to follow him, and they did. They were not perfect but they learned to turn away from traditional ways of doing things like making sacrifices to idols. Now I know why God selected them even though they were not perfect, they were obedient
Anna

======= Elizabeth:

Hello Everyone,
One thing I love about David’s psalms is that through them I can sense his heart for God AND his own struggles to reconcile that love/faith with his turbulent emotions:
“Sorrow floods my heart,
when I remember
leading the worshipers
to your house. I can still
hear them shout
their joyful praises.
Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
I trust you!
-Psalm 40:4-5
It’s odd how you can trust God in your head and yet struggle with fear and discouragement. I think He delights when we bring our whole self to Him and lay it before Him–fears, worries, trust, faith, hopes. So glad He is big enough for all that ; )
About correction. Actually, I think I am fairly “correctable,” but I struggle with the opposite. I struggle with being over-sensitive to correction or influence by the approval/opinion of men. I am prone to second-guess myself and over-analyze while struggling for excellence.
I imagine most people are of one ilk or the other—they either can’t see their weaknesses and mistakes even when they are bludgeoned over the head with them OR they are sensitive to the point where they must be careful to keep their eyes on the approval of God and the grace of Christ, not on the approval of man or some kind of self-perfection.
I like simplicity of the Contemporary English Version here (though it misses the implications of leading others astray):
“Accept correction,
and you will find life;
reject correction,
and you will miss the road.”
Proverbs 10:17
“Missing the road” is a great metaphor because it teases out the long-term reality of a stubborn spirit. When we miss the road, not only are we NOT on the right road, but we are cruising down the wrong one. It is a bad decision that progressively opens the door to further wrong decisions….
Elizabeth

======= Melanie:

I am being consumed by my daily hurts. Why do I forget God and let the cares of the world consume me? How can I change? I am not a young Christian but I have let life’s disappointments take me down. My soul does thirst for God…but not enough.
Melanie

======= Raeann:

Melanie this verse may help you.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
Raeann

======= Jessica:

This is a link to a great poem that really speaks of what it means to die to ourselves…. http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/living-sacrifice.htm
Dee, Your explanation of what it means to take up your cross was great. I remember when I first fell in love with Jesus I was rebuked by family and friends, and how it was a heavy pain to carry, but how wonderfully and faithfully He came along and gave me strength, filling my life with love and hope. He wants us to carry our cross, but He will help us when we are weary.
How awesome is He who loves us!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Blessings,
Jessica

======= Esther:

What does it mean to take up our cross?
Esther

======= Dee:

Esther, to take up our cross, is to physically get on board with Jesus, be His disciple, walk in His shoes, so to speak on earth. What did Jesus do, well he preached the gospel to all who would listen, he healed the sick, fed all who were hungry, prayed without ceasing, faced persecution, died a sinners death and rose and defeated death on a cross. Are we going to have to face that kind of ending. Most likely, no. but I do believe when we truly get committed and on the board with Jesus, you may and will face persecution from family, friends, and such and you have to mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, take up that cross, and follow our Lord. It sometimes is tough to be rejected and such, but the end result is beautiful! God will open up the windows of heaven and pour you out an abundant blessing that you can’t contain. So take Jesus with you. Jesus said that “if you are my disciple, you must leave mother, father, sister, brother, and follow me” Luke 14:25-27. Matthew 16:25 says, For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. I hope this helps Esther, God Bless!!
Dee

======= Jennifer:

Just die and you will live. Leviticus tells us how we die to our inner self – Love your neighbor as yourself, and then Christ calls, take up your cross and follow me.
I have heard these verses, believed and felt that I was, but everyday I understand more and more how dieing gives life.
Jennifer

======= Steve:

Proverbs 10:17
Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
The thought of leading others astray because we have ignored correction is a haunting thought. Yes, I believe this is true, we can ignore correction that comes from the Lord and build our model of reality but we will lead others astray and it will surely collapse when the Lord test it. We are rebellious by nature so discipline and listening to correction is not our natural default setting. We can look at discipline and correction a lot of different ways but it always seems to come back to the same place, the reality that we must relinquish our desire to run the show and submit ourselves to the authority of God. Until He is running the show, we are in error, the blind leading the blind.
Steve

======= Neil:

I’m talking about my own context which is in Australia, and I live in an urban area. Around me I see that as Christians we don’t like to administer correction because that would seem judgemental. Is that because the linkages in our Christian life are loose? Are our relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ developing above an interest in sports or meteorology? Correction used wisely is a life saving tool. When someone has given me correction, I have gone away and thought about it and it shows that someone cares about you, that they are willing to help you. I have to say that the 2nd part about influencing others and our responsibility for that was an eye opener.
God bless
Neil

======= Elizabeth:

Holiness is not about what or what we do…It is all about Him…
When you love and meditate on Him His, Holiness comes so sweetly and we stand in His Holiness…
One of our favorite book is written by Bob Sorge
“Power of the Blood” You will be overwhelm with His Presence and will better understand no only the power in His blood, but His Holiness!
Elizabeth

======= Duane:

I know that sometimes we get frustrated because we are looking for purpose and meaning so that we will have some type of identity. But God knows who you are, and when we accept him and his salvation then we find our identity in him. As we do our jobs and as we exist in this life, we live to bring glory and honor to his name. Jesus wants us to make a difference in other people’s lives. As we walk close to the Lord, performing our jobs without complaining and demonstrating love to all, this will cause others to ask what is it that makes us so happy and different from the rest. This then becomes our opportunity to witness for our savior.In James we find these words, ” Dont’s just be a hearer of the word, but be a doer’”
Duane

======= Joe:

Duane, so well said. As my pastor said just last weekend, the worlds says you have to earn your worth, the lord says I am your worth. The Lord is the king and I am so happy to know that my worth is because of the king.
Joe

======== Bob:

Psalm 42: What do you do when your mind is there but your heart isn’t? There is a gap between your head and your heart. Here David is literaly in a fight with himself. How do you “wait on the Lord”? They who wait, he will renew their strength. Honestly, how would you do this? Vs 7 – you position yourself under the waterfall of Grace and wait. Walk in obedience, ask God to break your heart and to restore the joy of Salvation. Make God your treasure.
Bob

======= Jill:

I have a question for you Mike. You talk about where your identity is? We lay down our life for him. Where does family come in? Do we obsess over how much we see our family if I grew up in a large family and did lots of family things. Because that’s what we did! Do we give that expectation up ? It’s a diff generation. What about seeing our grandchildren. Where does honoring our parents come in here?
Jill

======= Chris:

How many times have I read about the martyrs, and wondered: “Would I be able to remain steadfast in professing Jesus if I were being burned at the steak? Fed to the lions? Or beheaded because I confessed Jesus as my Lord and savior? And then,
Jesus said it to Peter in Mark 8:33: “Get thee behind me, Satan: For thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”
Ouch! That’s me. And then I read on to see how in Mark 8:35 If I want to save my life, I can be sure I will lose it.
OKay, I get it now. But I must constantly remind myself that this could happen at any time, so I better not flatter myself saying how much I love Jesus if I am not willing to go the full length. What a horrible thing to get there and only to be rejected because I rejected Jesus.
Talk is cheap. I’m going to try to be more aware and committed.
God’s love and blessings,
Chris

======= Jane:

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to the God of my life.” Psalm 42:7-8 NIV. I love this verse. I love the song with “deep calls to deep” it really makes me examine my Christian Faith and walk. How far are we willing to go? Are we willing to take up our cross and follow him whatever the case may be? He’s calling you and he’s calling me. Nothing can come before him. He will do whatever it takes for us to align up with him. Gods way Is the Highway! Jump on!
Jane

======= Judie:

This would have been a good day to feature the hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy. It would be nice from time to time to include some of the old traditional hymns for the song that goes along with the scripture. I do like some of the new worship songs, but many times, the words do not come through clearly enough for me to understand what they are singing.
Judie

======= Pat:

I’m sorry Mike I tried the Chronological Bible study but was just not pleased with it. I need Scripture from the New Testament and Psalms daily to fulfill me spiritually so starting today I’m returning to this One Year Bible study.
Pat

======= Jeffrey:

Mike,
Regarding correction, there have been a few times in my life when I know God was trying to correct me and get me to heed what he wanted me to do – not what I wanted to do. Sin is insidious and the devil is deceptive. We can go astray easily if we are not careful. It takes an open heart to receive correction for what it really is: love.
Jeffrey

======= Mitch:

OT – Root of Holy in Hebrew is “other”. So…
Be “other” because I, the Lord your God is (ultimate) other.
Be different from the Canaanites in what you eat, what you do, in your relationships, so that they will know you are “other” and you can tell the world “why”.
Look at all God’s commands and realize they are meant for the Israelites to flourish. In Mind, body, and soul. These were explicitly for Israelites, and unless repeated in NT (ex. Moral laws) not meant for current day Christians.
Punishments are severe because they are newly forming as a nation of people – and Need to realize – God views sin very seriously.
NT – Was just thinking of leaven and Pharisees’ bread. When Jesus asked if the disciples got it – was the lesson Jesus is the bread of life, bread is bountiful, and created by Him. On the other hand – Pharisees have existing bread that is infused with yeast (sin) – it gets puffed up but is not created by them just gets enlarged by spreading sin. Or something like that????
Why did it take two applications (tries) to heal the blind man? Did Jesus mess up (make a mistake). IMO think this is a picture of seeing (faith) is usually a process and not done in an instant. Or something like that?
Feel more positive about picking up your cross comment. People in that day in that location would get that “picking up your cross” means Jesus’ ministry was deadly serious. As those executed were made by Romans to carry their cross to place of execution. Israelites had seen it first hand in that the Romans had placed crucified men on crosses up and down the roads surrounding Jerusalem.
MItch

======= Dee:

Hi guys!
I love the way that the scriptures throughout old and new testament coorelate so well. Just like in Leviticus and Mark it talks about holiness. Our level of holiness through God with the responsiveness and willingness of our self to “get” out of the way and allow Gods Way to carry out the diving purpose we have in our lives. And then in Mark the last verse about following Jesus and when he returns he and his holy angels of God will come for those who seek Him, that is awesome! Holy, Holy, Holy!! Love that old bible hymnal.. Also, I loved Mark 8 verse 17 and 18: “Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Don’t you know or understand even yet? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? ‘You have eyes-can’t you see? You have ears-can’t you hear? Don’t you remember anything at all?”
–Doesn’t that sound typical of us, as humans..here the disciples had Jesus, the Living Son of God right there in their midst and they didn’t register in their head the miracles that just always “showed up” in their lives..God says that His Ways are not our ways, His Thoughts not our thoughts..we can’t even imagine or fathom the possibilities that God and the windows of Heaven will open up if we just believe! Put our hope and trust in Him, the author and finisher of our faith. Wow!! God is Good!! God bless.
Dee

======= John:

Satan
Since Satan is mentioned in Mark 8:33 I thought I would bring up a few things.
From the “Barna Group”
“Six out of ten Americans (59%) reject the existence of Satan, indicating that the devil, or Satan, is merely a symbol of evil. Catholics are much more likely than Protestants to hold this view – 75% compared to 55% – although a majority of both groups concur that Satan is symbolic.”
In Mark 8:33 I will grant that it can be argued that Satan is a real entity or that the concept is one of a “nebulous evil force”. I will also grant that nationally I am in the minority in my view of Satan as a “real entity”. It always seems strange to me when a person believes in God, and angels, yet Satan isn’t real.
As an unbeliever, I tried to prove the Bible wrong, and after quite a bit of time, I couldn’t prove my hypothesis. I understand that people have different views of the Bible and that some will spiritualize, allegorize, metaphorize, etc. the Bible. I believe the Bible is straightforward, and when I disagree with such a person mentioned above: The only point I want to make is that while we may disagree about interpretation, let us be real clear on what the Bible “says” on the issue.
So what does the bible say on “Satan”.
Old Testament
Satan is mentioned in Genesis, Job, and Zechariah. There is controversy over Genesis and I admit that different views on Satan can be argued in Genesis. So for now I would like to mention Job and Zechariah.
In Chapter of Job:
Let us play the analogy game –
“God is real”, “Job is real”, and “Satan is “______”.
“Classical Torah scholarship has not doubted Job’s existence.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_(person)
Christians that believe Job is real cite:
Ezek 14:14, 14:20 and James 5:11.
In Zech 3:
“the angel of the Lord is real”, “Joshua is real”, “Satan is “______”.
As stated before, I believe references in O.T. to THE angel of the Lord represent Christ. I would submit vs.4 as proof (at least in this instance).
Zech 3:4
“…Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”
Joshua here in Zech. has been referring to the High Priest in place in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian Captivity. A real person.
Even if the chapter is a “good vs. evil” story, and I think it is such a story. Where Angel represents Good, Joshua represents Israel, and Satan represents Evil. IMO the characters that represent these roles are all “real”.
New Testament
While there are quite a few places in N.T. that Satan can be regarded as an “entity” or as evil that is just a “nebulous force”, the important thing is that it could be considered either one.
So where does it seem clear that it can only be one of those choices.
“…consider the emphasis on Satan within the whole of the Sacred Text, the importance placed on the fact of his existence by both biblical writers and the Son of God Himself, and the critical role he has played in the necessity of God’s great plan of salvation for mankind.”
Matt 12:26
“If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?”
How does a nebulous force cast out a nebulous force? Notice himself (Gk. Heautou)is a personal pronoun – not “itself”.
Luke 22:31
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.”
How does a nebulous force ask or better translated “demand” anything?
1John 3:8
“He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning…”
How does a nebulous force sin? It is evil and just IS. Sinning is an action taken by an entity, not some passive state of being in the wrong.
Matt 13:39
“and the enemy who sows them is the devil….”
Jesus is explaining the parable. He is explaining what the symbolism represents – the real person or thing.
Good place to stop. With a clear example by our Savior.
I realize that these examples and many others will not change the minds of those who believe Evil is a nebulous force. But for those of you who haven’t made up your mind, are not sure, or are new to Chrisitianity; I implore you, do not believe me,nor an article I post, nor a liberal theologian, nor spiritual books. Instead:
Go to the primary source. Go to the “Word” and do a word study on Satan, Devil, evil one, tempter, etc. Pray about what you read, reflect on it, and make up your own minds.
What does the Bible say, not how it applies in your life or based on pre-conceived notions.
John

======= Ann:

John, if you present all these arguments about satan and in the end you say, “I implore you, do not believe me…” sounds so contradictory isn’t it?
Reading your postings obvivously looks that you’re trying to convince people but thought you weren’t convincing anyway?
Ann

======= John:

Ann,
I have no idea if I was convincing or not regarding my post on Satan :).
I am thouroughly convinced that Satan is a “REAL ENTITY”, but in the end it does not matter what I think.
The purpose of the post was to get people to think, and explore the issue on their own.
I think too many times Christians get enamored with a book, an article, or a persuasive person’s argument on a theological point (issue, doctrine, etc.). They subsequently just adopt that point without really thinking about it, praying about it, or consulting the “Word” about it. That is the same as the “house built on sand” from Matthew’s gospel.
What I was imploring was not to believe written or spoken versions on either side of the issue: “real entity” vs. nebulous force”. Conservative or Liberal.
By extension, the imploring continues down to:
“Go to the primary source. Go to the “Word” and do a word study on Satan, Devil, evil one, tempter, etc. Pray about what you read, reflect on it, and make up your own minds.”
I listed four verses in the New Testament, there are many more to look at and consider.
Build your “house on a bedrock” of study, prayer , and reflection – that ONE does on his or her own.
[BTW think of this decision matrix:
“If you beleive the Devil is a “real entity” and you are right, you can be prepeared for spiritual warfare.”
“If you are wrong, it ends up being a non-event.”
If you believe Satan just represents a “nebulous force”, and you are right – then you can just go thru life knowing that evil just “is”, and it may or may not touch you.
If you are wrong, you will be woefully unprepared for spiritual warfare and the resultant attacks on your faith. Your testimony will be a shambles, and real harm may come to you, yours, and your church.]
John

Leviticus 16:29-18:30 + Mark 7:24-8:10 + Psalm 41:1-13 + Proverbs 10:15-16
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Old Testament – Today we finish up Leviticus chapter 16 with a very simple but powerful statement in verse 34 – “Moses followed all these instructions that the LORD had given to him.”  Moses followed all of the instructions…  That sounds so simple, but think about really how amazing it is.  Moses did not veer to the left or the right.  He stayed on the narrow path.  He followed the instructions.  The Sermon on the Mount in Matthews 5-7 is a nice summary of some instructions to us from Jesus.  Can what was said of Moses be said of us today?  Are we following all of the instructions Jesus has given us?  Don’t beat yourself up over this if the answer is no.  Not one of us is perfect this side of heaven – except for Jesus.  Moses was not perfect either. But, I think we can hopefully learn something from Moses’ obedience to God’s instructions.  I do believe that each of us today can walk along the narrow path to follow Jesus in faith, follow his teachings in faith, and become more and more like Him as we go.  Even if we trip or stumble along the Way, if we continue in our faith in Jesus and who he truly is, we will indeed become more like Him as we follow Him.  How well are you doing at following Jesus’ instructions in your life today?

Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org’s commentary on Leviticus chapter 17, “The Preciousness of Blood,” is at this link.   A quote from Bob from this link – “The Israelite of old learned from Leviticus, as nowhere else up to that point in time, the preciousness of blood to God. How much greater value does blood take on for the New Testament saint, whose blessings are all a result of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As Harrison summarizes the matter, “The blood is the life of the flesh (Lev. 17:11), and it is through the atoning blood of Christ that the believer receives redemption (I Pet. 1:18-19), forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), justification (Rom. 5:9), spiritual peace (Col. 1:20), and sanctification (Heb. 13:12).”

Leviticus 18 is primarily a chapter about forbidden sexual practices.  However – before we get to those – I think verses 1-5 are incredibly powerful as God reminds the Israelites that he is their God – and that he has set them apart from the pagans surrounding them – and that his laws must be obeyed by the Israelites – “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say this to your people, the Israelites: I, the LORD, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the LORD, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.”  As I read this I see the compassionate nature of God throughout history.  The laws were so much better than the pagan ways of the nations surrounding Israel.  The laws were better.  More compassionate than immorality to be sure.  Check out again Bob Deffinbaugh on Leviticus chapter 18 verses 1-5 titled “Obedience—The Obligation of Being Owned” at this link.  And below is one of my favorite obedience cartoons… 🙂

For the rest of Leviticus chapter 18 I’m going to punt once again over to Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org at this link.   Here’s a quote from Bob at this link – “Leviticus 18:6-29 has a very simple structure and message. Its intent is to define the boundaries of godly human sexual relationships. There are three of them, which I call the inner, middle, and outer boundaries of godly sexuality. Verses 6 through 18 define the “inner boundary,” prohibiting sexual relationships with close relatives. Verses 19 and 20 define the “middle boundary,” which limits sexual relations within marriage and prohibits them outside marriage. Verses 21 through 23 define the “outer boundary” of unnatural sexual relations. Verses 24 through 29 tell us about God’s judgment upon a nation that crosses these boundaries. They clearly tell us that God’s judgment for sexual sin is all nations, not just the covenant nation of Israel.”

New Testament – Mark chapter 7 opens up with a gentile woman begging Jesus to release her daughter from the control of a demon.  Verses 27 through 29 are a fascinating look at Jesus’ ministry –  “Jesus told her, “First I should help my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are given some crumbs from the children’s plates.” “Good answer!” he said. “And because you have answered so well, I have healed your daughter.”  Here we see that Jesus’ ministry was initially to the Jews, but here he heals a gentile woman’s daughter because of her humility and faith.  And of course as we get to the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ ministry is clearly for “all nations”.  In fact, Mark’s Gospel is a good indicator of how Jesus’ ministry quickly expanded beyond the Jews as Mark likely wrote this Gospel in Rome and to a primarily Roman gentile believer audience.

Today in chapter 7 verses 32 through 34 we read – “A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him to a private place away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting onto his own fingers, he touched the man’s tongue with the spittle. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and commanded, “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly and speak plainly!” I love this image below based on these verses… please meditate on this image for a few moments…  What do you think is going through this man’s mind at this moment?  What is he experiencing?

Psalms – Today we read in Psalm 41 verse 1 – “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.” For some reason this verse really opens up my heart. Something about the word “weak.” Maybe this verse really speaks to me because I myself feel weak at times. And yet, I am so blessed in so many ways. And I realize that there are so many others out there in this world who may not have the blessings that I have, and who are struggling through an extremely tough cycle of weakness. And I wonder – what am I doing to help those who are weak? Do I really have regard for the weak? Do you? What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak? Are we investing time or finances into the weak? Are we praying for the weak? Are we loving the weak?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 16 is powerful stuff! “The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.”  This is so true.  I know there have been times in my life in the past where I was not walking with the Lord and I absolutely squandered my money on sin – and my life was certainly not enhanced in the process. For some reason this verse also makes me think about how sometimes we pursue big salaries and big jobs or careers so that we can spend big bucks on a lavish lifestyle.  And I wonder… at the end of the day what that game buys us?  I don’t think much.  I have been thinking more and more lately about how much wisdom there is in living a simple godly life.  Maybe take a job that pays less…. but where you work less… you are less stressed… but you can do things like spend more time with God, your family, your friends, and serving others….  where you can read more good books… exercise more…. sleep a full 8 hours a night….  enjoy each day and not be so worried all the time about the future…    Sure – with a job that pays less you won’t be able to be out and about on the town each night living the “high life”.  But is this really living?  Really?    In my own life, I do think about how much “earnings” do I really need – and if maybe…. perhaps…. somehow less is actually more?

Worship Video:  Our readings reminded me of the Jon Reddick song “God, Turn It Around” sung live here with Matt Maher:

Has God turned it around for you? Click here and be turned around!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” Psalm 41:1-3 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will have regard for the weak. Pray that God will protect you and preserve you. Pray for the weak. Pray that they would be made strong in the LORD.

Comments from You & Question of the Day – Based on these Proverbs reflections above, do you think living with less can somehow actually add more to our lives?  Is there value in living a simple life?  What are some simple life habits that you are practicing these days?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

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======= Ramona:

Leviticus 16:29-18:30
By now I think my surprise by what I uncover in the scriptures should be muted, but it isn’t. I am amazed when questions recently asked and or scripture answers ones asked long ago. I seem to never get over how answers fall into place if one just keeps seeking, knocking and asking. Yet the question asked has long since floated out of my memory no longer stored at the forefront of my mind.
This passage in chapter 17 answers my forgotten question,
3 If any Israelite sacrifices a bull or a lamb or a goat anywhere inside or outside the camp 4 and does not bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle to present it as an offering to the LORD, that person will be guilty of a capital offense. Such a person has shed blood and must be cut off from the community. 5 This rule will stop the Israelites from sacrificing animals in the open fields. It will cause them to bring their sacrifices to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle, so he can present them to the LORD as peace offerings.
I have always wondered why Israel’s first King, Saul, had the kingdom taken away from him over a sacrifice he made while he waited for the prophet Samuel to come to him. It was the prophet who was to offer up the sacrifice, however, Saul saw his fighting men desert him while waiting. I had acknowledged that there was probably something Saul did in a long list of don’t dos, but I wasn’t quit sure which one or ones he had violated, and today I find it.
1 Samuel 13
11 …Saul replied, “I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle. 12 So I said, `The Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven’t even asked for the LORD’s help!’ So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”
13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have disobeyed the command of the LORD your God. Had you obeyed, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your dynasty must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the LORD’s command.”
Sorry, but I’m just too excited to focus on anything else.
I don’t have much else to say about this particular passage that hasn’t been covered by either me or someone on the site; however, there is something very interesting that caught my eye, the Sabbath. When we were in Exodus we had a discussion on our designated day of rest, Saturday or Sunday, and should we adhere to the whatever day was the true Sabbath.
In verses 29 through 31 of chapter 16, the Sabbath is presented as a designated day and not an actual set day of the week. I’m not sure how many days the Jewish Religious and or Secular calendar has (Some Mid-Eastern Religious Calendars have 360 days), but my birthday is celebrated in the same month, November, and the same day, the 15th, however, the day of the week is never the same from year to year.
God gives Moses a command to celebrate the Day of Atonement on a set date in a specific month and He calls it a Sabbath day. That day then could fall on the first day of the week, the middle day or on the last day of the week from year to year.
“On the appointed day in early autumn, you must spend the day fasting and not do any work. This is a permanent law for you, and it applies to those who are Israelites by birth, as well as to the foreigners living among you. On this day, atonement will be made for you, and you will be cleansed from all your sins in the LORD’s presence. It will be a Sabbath day of total rest, and you will spend the day in fasting. This is a permanent law for you. (Leviticus 16:29-31 NLT)
In the Message, it reads like this:
“This is standard practice for you, a perpetual ordinance. On the tenth day of the seventh month, both the citizen and the foreigner living with you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. In the presence of GOD you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance. (Leviticus 16:29-31 MSG)
Mark 7:25-8:10
I absolutely love the story of the Syrophoenician woman; I just absolutely love her. Here is a woman who is not a child of the Covenant, she is not entitled to the benefits of relationship with the Father, yet she accepts what many would consider an insult, in fact it was an insult to be called a dog by a Jew. Yet she passed the test because she wanted what was best for her daughter, to be released from the oppression of a demon spirit. No matter the insult, she was not asking for full privilege, she was happy to accept the crumbs because the crumbs were better than nothing. Her perseverance in the face of an insult, which was a test, gave her access to the whole cake. She is a model for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord to never give up, never give in, and never give out.
Previously we saw in chapter five of Mark that a whole town would have preferred a man so full of demons to remain in bondage then to have there precious pigs destroyed. Boy, what a reversal. The townsfolk were offended because of a miracle, but this woman took accepted an offense to get a miracle. What would I do?
Psalm 41:1-13
As you read and study the Bible you come to realize how inadequate our English words really are. You discover things like, there are over fifteen Hebrew words translated “poor” in English and you learn that they do not have the same connotation that we assume when we hear the word poor. This is particularly true in the first verse of this Psalm.
Since the consideration given to the poor evokes blessings on the one doing the considering, it is good to know that this poor is not the one meaning lack of resources. Well it does but that is not the full meaning. It is the poor that is low, weak, thin, possibly one who is depressed and maybe, “Poor in spirit.”
1 Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor.
The LORD rescues them in times of trouble.
Either way, am I kind to the poor? Do I recognize that being nice is not equivalent to being kind? Hmmm!
Proverbs 10:15-16
15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their calamity.
This weight and power of this verse can so easily be passed by. This verse sounds like a given, yet do we stop and think if there is true safety in having a fortress made of wealth, when scripture states that the name of the Lord is a strong tower? So we make think in passing that wealth gives protection, and it does, we may fail to see how flimsy it is because it can be here today and gone tomorrow.
And what about the second part, “the poverty of the poor …” Their calamity is not in being poor but it is the poverty that makes them destitute. Again poverty and poor are not one and the same. One can be poor yet not have even a shadow of poverty; in fact one can be in a state of richness. I believe the poverty spoken about here is being without God, excluded from His fellowship.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Mark:

Psalm 41:12 You know me inside and out, you hold me together, you never fail to stand me tall in your presence so I can look you in the eye. Mike, this verse reminds me of your picture illustrating Jesus healing the deaf-mute. I noticed the eyes of the man kneeling there, looking into the face of the gracious healer, trying to fathom: “What kind of love is this that reaches out and embraces me?”
Indeed!!
Mark

======= Sally:

I also think it was Proverbs that stood out, especially in light of the commentary. “The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.” Before we walked with the Lord, we had a lot of financial issues (which we are still paying for) and we made more money….but since we have come back to the Lord and honored Him with our Tithe – somehow, we always make it without having to penny pinch too much…He has taught us to live with less and not notice. He is good.
Sally

======= Micah Girl:

Simplicity has been my goal for this year, and already my life seems clearer and more focused. Rather than filling up every hour with commitments from the moment I wake up I have been reading the bible and exercising. I am next going to be working on extended prayer time which has been eluding me. The materialism of our culture is constantly urging me to work more, spend more, and sacrifice for stuff rather than people. I am going to continue to keep as my priorities (thought not perfectly) God & people.
Micah Girl

======= Pat:

I have made simplicity my goal for this year. I use to work long hours and didn’t have time for anything. I was miserable. I spent time with God in prayer and boy did he give me a nice part time job and I make more on this job than on the one I spent hours working. He really has blessed me. I have time for my personal life. I was more concerened about having time for things like church and spending more time with family and he just has really blessed me. Isn’t that just like our God????
Pat

======= Ann:

In reading Leviticus, It reveals how precise and exact our God is to things and though it might not make sense to us, it draws my attention to how awesome God is. He covers every minute detail and leaves nothing undone. This should speak to us about how thorough God is in seeing to it that we are taken care of. It also makes me Grateful and thankful that Jesus fulfilled all this through His dying on the cross and accounting for all sin and became the Supreme Sacrifice and escape goat that we not have the consequences of our sins fall on us but, our sin fell instead on Him who died and rose again just for us so we might be set free from all these year to year sacrifices for sins and being unclean.
It should make every person with deep respect to God for all that He has done for us and all he asks is simple obedience to Him. He already prepared, and provided all, A-L-L- for us and Just wants us to simply Believe and accept.
Why we make it so complex is because of the finite ways that we as yet are growing daily out of and as the Holy Spirit of God does what Philippians 1:6 says we are being conformed in to the image of His dear Son.
May every one as we approach Easter in another month, begin to meditate on these things that God gave for us to be having continual fellowship with Him as If they had never sinned. Now we must learn to let Him change us within through our prayers, reading of His Word and letting His Holy Spirit work in our lives.
Ann

======= Laverne:

Its interesting to see how the Holy Spirit works in my life. Our Ash Wednesday sermon came from Matthew 28: 19-20 the sermon was titled “From Believer To Disciple”. Our Rev. challenged us to choose a day of the wek and spend ONLY $1.00, so that we might see how some people all over the globe are living. Now one of our comments you’re asking is based on the same principle. Well aw’ritey!! I totally believe that if we can learn to live on less then God will bless us with more..That is not the reason I am doing it but for the greater good of being diciplined.
Laverne

======= Angie:

i just want to thank mae for opening my heart to all this. i’ve had a really, really rough year last year and i don’t know what i would have not done without her, even though she probably thought at some times i was a total pysco path and i probably am. but she is such an encouragement. i see how happy and at peace she is and i want that same feeling. someday i know i will have it too. slowly. as i tell her, baby steps. all in good time. i’ve never met someone quite like her in my life before. i’ve always had people judge me and its always hurt like, well, you know. but not mae. and she made me realize that not only she doesn’t judge, but she taught me that neither does god, and that he is always there for me even when i get so flippin angry at him and try to close him out, which i did for a long time. but since i opened my heart and asked for forgiveness, i feel like for once in my life, my prayers are finally being answered. and i’m starting to feel some peace in my life. i’m seeing a whole new light. i’ve been “stalking” this page for a month or two now and decided i was ready to join it and to learn more.
i absolutely believe that living less can actually add more to our lives. i was working in a factory making close to 13 dollars an hour. i hated it there. one huge reason i took a volunteer layoff. then my unemployment started running out and i had to get another job. i work less hours, and make less money but for once, i’m happy. we still do the things we normally do but for some reason, i’m happier. i’m here in town, only 1 minute from home instead of a 30 minute drive. and the people are so much nicer and the job is a whole lot less stressful. i AM less stressed, (just ask mae!!!! lol), i’m able to work on my art more and read more, go to the movies in the afternoon and to the coffeehouse without obnoxious teenagers and its quieter and i’m happier. i don’t like crowds. they make me nervous. so my hours work out great for me. and again, i’m happy. me and my husband are getting along much better now also. which is a huge plus.
i guess simple life habits is reading this everyday, and trying to take my vitamins everyday which is a huge chore for me since taking pills is hard for me. i have a hard time swallowing them so i just decide not do to take them. even though they make me feel better and i have more energy. and trying to keep my big mouth shut when i get angry. trying to control my temper. and trust me, i have a nasty bad temper.
psalms 41 verse 1 stood out to me. i guess i just love the chapter of psalms. it has always calmed my nerves and i feel like god really understands how i feel and that he is talking to me. (is that weird of me to think that?) that here he is telling me that he is there in my time of troubles. cuz when i’m in trouble and feel like i have no where to go and no one to go to, i feel weak and vunerable. but yet hes there and then i feel better.
Angie

======= Mae:

Sweetie, you don’t have to thank me, you know that, right? But I’m glad you did ha ha ha ha ha You know what, the Lord really helped me, He gave me the directions. He wanted you to be in His Kingdom and that’s why He helped me! You know how much I love you, right? Well girl, He loves you even more … I know, I know … it seems impossible since I love you to the moon and back, but really … God loves you even more, He loves you eternally!!! I’m so happy you asked God for forgiveness, that’s what we need, right? I’m proud of you! I’m proud of who you are and what you do! Babysteps are just fine, I mean … that’s really what you are right? A baby? Just like I am LOL I was saved only 5,5 months ago, I’m a baby!!!! I love you so much, my silly silly girl!!!!!
And you know, it’s not weird of you to think that God really understands you, because He DOES understand you! He lives in your heart, so He knows what’s going on in there! I’m happy to hear that He talks to you … now you can experience that you’re never alone!
I’m so happy you posted a comment … you really made my day and warmth my heart!
Again: I love you!!!!
I absolutely love the question of the day: Based on these Proverbs reflections above, do you think living with less can somehow actually add more to our lives? Is there value in living a simple life? ~ I used to be one of those girls (women? LOL) who thought that materialistic things could ease my heart. I wanted it BIG, I wanted it EXPENSIVE. So the world could see that I was a manager, I had money, I was a respected woman. UGH, how sad … I wanted expensive brands, because I thought so less of the ‘regular’ brands. I’ve always been casual and not bling bling, but the Jeans HAD to be Diesel, my shirt HAD to be DKNY, my shoes HAD to be Jimmy Choo, my purse HAD to be Bjorn Borg. Things have changed a while ago when I started to realize I missed something in my heart. Expensive clothes, expensive furniture and my shopaholic behaviour didn’t help me fill up that aching gap in my heart. So two years ago I gave my husband all my cards and told him not to give it back to me any time soon. Even if I was threathning him with the big D-word LOL It was a life-changing experience for me, I know, it sounds sad, but it did change my life a lot. The first months were pure torture for me … honestly! It was so painful that I wanted to steel!!! I just needed to HAVE the new DKNY cologne! One morning I looked in the mirror and was ashamed of the person I saw in it … ‘I needed to HAVE things’. That was absolutely NOT how I was raised by my parents. A little while after that moment we were at the point that we almost got bankrupt and I had to take a job, ANY job. I cried my eyes out, because taking any job, meant: no matter what your resume sais … you just get a job! So I applied for just any job … I didn’t care: cleaning offices … if I had to, I would! This was actually the time when I got saved. At that time Jesus was knocking at my door, not only knocking, He kept asking me how long I thought I could be this stubborn. Me being a Christian changed a lot in me, it makes me the person I want to be! Happy … satisfied … patient … friendly … I don’t care what other people think of me, I care what God thinks of me. Of course I still love DKNY, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s … come on, I’m a woman!!!! But I’ve come to peace with it that I don’t NEED it! The beauty of it all is that Rene will be promoted soon and I know we’ll be able to afford all those things again. With him promoted and me having a great job … but I don’t need it! I buy what I like, I buy what I really need … not what I think I need. We don’t life in a new and expensive neighborhood, but we don’t care, we’re happy here. When we first moved here, I just saw this as an in-between-house, just till we’d find something better. But we love the house and I don’t care what other people think anymore. This year we won’t go to Bali for a vacation, this year we’ll be taking care of a little girl from the United Kingdom. It’s this European Children Foundation we entered. We’ll take care of a child that lives in a poor family and they can’t afford to go on vacation or go places for a day. This makes me happy, the thought of making a child happy makes me happy! A simple life furfills my life more than walking around like a psycho-shopper!!! Ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!
Mae

======= Steve:

I’ve been attending church for about a year and was baptised last summer, but I have been struggling with keeping the faith burning in my heart since Christmas.
I don’t understand the commentary on the OT readings today surrounding sexual relations and the church attitude in general. The commentary says that v. 19 & 20 forbid sexual relations outside marriage. Reading from the NIV, v. 19 forbids sexual relations during a womans monthly period, v. 20 forbids sexual relations with another mans wife. (I’m doing this from memory, as I can’t comment and read the verses on my mobile device at the same time, so they might be the other way around!). So neither of those verses actually say, “Don’t have sexual relations outside marriage. V. 19 links back to yesterday’s readings on blood, v. 20 links back essentially to the 10 commandments of don’t commit adultery. The last 2 verses are pretty clear on forbiding male homosexuality and bestiality. The preceding ones seem to deal with incest. Those two deal with the ceremonially unclean and adultery. I can’t see where you get the sexual relations outside marriage from? In fact throughout the entire bible from what I have read (I did read the YOB from March last year) the only references are to sexual immorality.
Can anyone point me to the actual verse that says not to have sexual relations outside marriage? I must admit this is only a small question out of the many I have had whilst reading through the Bible, I don’t want to offend anyone, but find its questions like these that I have trouble getting answers to and that start sowing the seeds of losing faith because I hear what people say, and just can’t seem to find the black and white words to confir that in the Bible. End of comment for today, my thumbs ache after typing all that on a Blackberry sized keyboard!
Thanks
Steve

======= Kim:

In reference to your question about sexual relations outside of marriage. One of the commandments specifically says “thou shalt not commit adultery”. In addition to that from the old testament, Jesus speaks to adultery as even the thought of lusting after another woman if a man was married. These are no inferences. It is really quite clear that there are to be no sexual relations outside of marriage.
you asked for the specific versus about sexual relationships outside of marriage, here they are..
Mathew 5:38; Mathew 10:11,12,19; Mathew 19:5.
Kim

======= Elizabeth:

Hello Everyone,
Steve–many blessings on your decision to follow Christ! I can tell you that when I became a Christian at 23, it was not as if all of my questions were neatly resolved and I instantly followed God in every way. I still had gobs of questions and there were many areas of my life I did not yield to Him.
I believe that a true conversion experience is a complex life-changing event (especially if you come to Christ as an adult). Your decision may happen in a day, but the working out of your faith, your growth in Him has just begun! It’s a marathon–a process that will continue until we die and are perfected in Him.
I still remember when I first became a Christian (16 years ago now), I was struck by the fact that I had to rethink the way I looked at the world in every significant way. This was definitely a process. In some ways, I kept trying to reconcile my old “self” with the new. The Lord was faithful to shape me and reveal things to me bit by bit. It would have been too much if He gave it to me all at once!
some of the more difficult areas of Christianity and the Bible, I had to submit up to God again and again. Some answers were easier and quicker than others. Some very sloooow; they came only after a number of years and sometimes after I had stopped asking that particular question! I moved on and was asking a new questions then He sometimes answered my old ones ; ). I think He has a sense of humor like that.
My experience is also that we have to be careful with the spirit in which we approach the Word. We can read things into the text or out of them–depending upon the condition of our hearts and willingess to see. Remember that the Pharisees knew their scriptures well.
My best advice (and this was advice given to me) would be to keep your yes on Jesus. Keep Him front and center and keep your communication with Him fresh and real. Cling to Him. Pray to Him when you read His word and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and eyes.
If you approach Him and His word with thirst and honesty, I know that He will give you peace about your question and many others that will come along.
You are on the right track with asking questions–seeking answers and help from others. Also, learn how to “dig” through the Word with a concordance or cross-reference. A subject-themed concordance (like a “Life Application” handbook) was very helpful to me when I first became a Christian. It helped me think through areas I had questions about and put the scripture in context.
My second piece of advice would be to find a strong and trustworthy Christian mentor. Someone a bit older than you who is steady in their faith. They don’t have to be a “friend” but God will use that relationship and they will become a truer friend over time than many “friends” you would choose. You can learn so much from a solid brother or sister in Christ. Also, they can pray for you and be a sounding board for you as you navigate through difficulties.
Finally, here are some more scriptures for you to consider. I pulled them from my old “Handbook of Bible Application” ; ) My experience is that wisdom has a gentle voice that speaks quietly but definitively over time.
*********************
“Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
*****************
Here is the passage Kim mentioned:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. –Matthew 5:27-30
*********************
And one more…
“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
**********************
I find the word choice in that last passage compelling…we are to FLEE from sexual immorality–pretty strong words there! I also like that passage because it points out the positive goal in all of this–it’s that we are to HONOR God with our bodies. It’s part of being different and set apart.
When I struggled with this issue, I thought of it more in terms of abstract “do’s” and “don’ts” I didn’t understand why God would request such a thing of me–it seemed legalistic. But, it is more about God wanting the very best for us–sexual sin gets us into a heap of trouble–it’s not the VERY best, and it doesn’t glorify Him.
I hope all this blathering helps some–it’s just an honest response from a fellow pilgrim. I’ll make a point to pray for you, brother : )
Elizabeth

======= Kary:

Mike,
just a point about how living simply does not necessarily mean earning less. My father started a company and when he did he thought how his priorities should be God first, family second, and self last. He took the number of hours in a week, and counted backwards how much time for God (church, study, prayer, etc) then for his family, then for sleep, etc and found he could only spend 40 hours a week at work. He then started with those times for the Lord and family as a commitment. He then trusted God to take care of all the things in his business that he couldn’t do in those hours he was not there. Almost any entrepreneur will tell you that you cannot start a serious company in only 40 hours a week but my dad just gave that to the Lord.
I can attest to the fact that he was home every night at exactly 6pm to be with us his family and he never brought work home to compete and let me tell you that often took great faith on his part that the Lord would help, especially in tough times. The Lord then gave his company tremendous success, I mean it even went public and continued to grow, as it was God who really brought the increase as my dad was faithful to God. Even after going public while serving as CEO & Chairman (though my dad rarely used the title Chairman – he used to tell me God was Chairman of his company) my dad still kept to 40 hours a week except for the occasional business trip. I mention this because the “earnings” from this became absolutely tremendous and my dad was able to start a foundation that today (and I hesitate to say this but) gives money away annually in the 7 figures to a lot of “weak” people and to help evangelize the world for Christ. Can you imagine what impact that simplicity has had? Especially while never robbing us the family or God of either’s respective time.
I say all this to make the case that you can be simple and actually make more “earnings,” just it has to be God’s way, through God providing, and that earning more might even be a worthwhile goal as God then can use you through those earnings in a very powerful way to expand and serve the Kingdom of God mightily doing His will to take care of the weak. To further the goal of being simple the temptation may be to “make less” but in my opinion that misses it as I have seen people making less and still not able to live simply. Instead trust the Lord and then “commit all you do to the Lord and He will bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).
I find that once you give to someone who is weak and unable to care for themself you instantly want to be able to give more. Earning less may actually rob us of this great opportunity to serve the Lord especially when we, who God has given the ability to earn more, can. We just need to do it within the bounds of putting the Lord first and our family second. I know giving money away is not the only thing but there is so much need out there for it (so many people around the world need financial help, or need services (medical, justice, etc) that can only be provided with financial resources – and there are so many great ministries, yet alone not to mention giving to evangelism) and I believe we can do so much with God in such a huge way almost unimaginable to us, all the while keeping our priorities right. My dad would point to Proverbs 3:9-10 as a way to live simply and then be able to provide for the Kingdom in ways you never dreamed.
Kary

======= Elizabeth:

Hello Again,
Kary, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed and was strengthened by your father’s story.
What a great illustration of putting God first. I think so many men struggle with this (and women too, but especially men in their work). I think women often put their family first, but not their husbands or God.
Anyway…I did not have parents who modeled faith to me. I am strengthened by stories like your father’s because they model how it should be.
God Bless!
Kary

======= Arielle:

Kary
Thank you so much for sharing a part of your life with us. It made me think am I putting my GOD first every time. There are days when worries and other life situation take precedance and I forget to put my GOD first.
Your story has inspired me and I am definitely looking to make that change
Arielle

======= Kary:

Thank you Elizabeth and Arielle. I felt compelled to share as I feel I was so amazingly blessed by this element of my life (my mom was (is) just like that too growing up for us) that I try as much as possible to allow it to bless others in some way even if just by sharing it others are encouraged and inspired. I believe my parent’s reward in Heaven will be huge as much for this aspect of their life as for anything else, if not more. It really kept me from getting into all the trouble that all (and I mean all) of my friends got into growing up. My parents weren’t only my parents to me they became my mentors and my best friends, and this helps me tremendously now with my own wife and kids.
Kary

======= Steve:

Is there value in living a simple life? What are some simple life habits that you are practicing these days?
I know a little bit about the less is more lifestyle. It was October 22, 2007 when our home was hit by a sudden wildfire firestorm. It was the perfect storm, 70 mile per hour gusting Santa Ana winds, everything was dry after a semi drought season when some PG&E electrical lines started sparking from the buffeting high winds against some untrimmed palm trees, starting a wildfire that was headed our way. We grabbed a few pictures and evacuated, our entire city was evacuated as this firestorm approached us. Four days later the authorities started allowing people back into the city so we could return to our homes. Our home was gone, absolutely nothing taller than a few inches remained. As I walked across the ashes, the soles of my shoes began to melt from the heat still beneath the gray ash. We suddenly had become minimalist with nothing but the clothes on our back and a few pictures.
The next year was extremely difficult for us, not knowing if we had enough insurance to comply with all the new code improvements and fire dept access requirements and so forth. It was the not knowing that seemed to hold us hostage, we were suddenly in the desert, wandering in hope of the promise land. Afraid to spend the insurance money from the contents portion of our insurance coverage, we lived thrifty and got by with the minimum. Here’s the interesting part, in a sense we were free, no longer tethered to all our stuff. I know that sounds crazy but we began to see possessions differently, they were not as important as they used to be.
Just so you know, we ended up fine, we didn’t rebuilt on the same property from the fire, instead two years later we bought another home, taking advantage of the 2008 financial meltdown that cause real estate prices to drop significantly. Yes, our new home is even better. This wildfire had changed everything, it shook us up, down and sideways but we came out of it better off in many ways, especially in my personal relationship with the Lord. The lesson we learned is never again be entangled in our possessions, everything belongs to God.
Steve

======= Frederick:

Mark 7:32-34
I refer to Mike’s comments on Jesus’ healing of the deaf and mute. I can think of the spiritual deafness and muteness in some of us. Do we able to hear and understand from God? Do our tongues speak of God’s words? I am afraid, some of us need the spiritual healing of Jesus on our spiritual deafness and muteness.
Frederick

======= Duane:

As I reflect back on the day I was saved, I remember praying to God to heal me of all my insecurties. Believe there were many. But my number #1 prayer request was for deliverance from studdering.I prayed for God to heal me for about three months. One day while I was praying, the holy sprit whisper to me,”Duane when was the last time you studder?” Wow, I didn’t even know when it happen but what a revelation it was. Yes, I also struggle with wanting more. I feel like I could have made better decisions when I was younger and now I’m trying to make up for those mistakes. I’m striving to be the best I can be but I want it to be according to God’s will. This is where its hard, distingishing my will to God’s.
Duane

======= Cheryl:

I recently heard a Rabbi speak about worshipping and living for God versus worshipping a false god. Back in the days of the Israelites in Leviticus times, the nations around them worshipped many false gods. One popular false god was Baal. The Rabbi said that the worship of Baal included perverse sexual practices, perverse practices with bodily fluids, etc. according to any carnal desire or living according to the flesh. The Rabbi said God’s laws given to the Israelites were to help them rise above their carnal desires and live “clean” lives as a worship to God and not a worship of flesh. This set the Israelites apart from the nations around them and also helped them live by the Spirit.
This really helped me understand more Leviticus and all the laws of God. Then when Jesus came, He also preached living by the Spirit, examining our hearts and motives and not giving into every desire of the flesh.
Cheryl

======= Jim:

Hi I have been struggling and trying so hard in the last ten years to find the career that pays more. And I have similar thoughts. Is more really less. Currently my employer is working on wellness and the top two issues are stress and morbidity. Indicators that more can be less. Thanks for your posts, I am really happy to know that my thoughts are very similar to yours on work.
Jim

======= Cathy:

Hello, I too have been striving so hard to find a high paid career in vain. But finally, decided to work on my own from home. Currently, even if I haven’t seen the outcome yet, I believe, it helps me better manage my relationship with God, taking care of my children, husband and better organized my business with less stress.
Thank you and may God bless you all.
Cathy

======= Joyce:

Mike,
I feel very blessed to have come across your blog.
Reading your questions and comments, and the comments of others, gives me the accountability to follow along, to read the Scripture each day. Thank you!
In today’s reading, Leviticus 16:29-18:30, I can feel the Lord’s compassion. Like a compassionate father, He gave detailed instructions to His children: about keeping the Sabbath, prohibitions against eating blood, and forbidden sexual practices – all for His children’s own good.
Thank God for His compassion toward us!
Mike, thank you for serving Him through this blog!
Sincerely,
Joyce

======= Rita:

When I quit my stressful job, I was a bit worried then I prayed and I reminded myself that The Lord provides and He told us not to worry and since He is faithful, I found a job where I don’t make as much money but where I have more time for God, my friends, my family, and myself. I take my time with my Bible study, I exercise everyday, I am happier and Jesus helped to see that less is more. I don’t go out as much but I am way happier. I don’t do a job I hate to buy things I don’t need, not anymore. Thank you Jesus!
Rita

======= Robert:

Mark 7:24-30
Faith of the Syrophoenician (Gentile) Woman
Some one said they liked her wit, nerve and pluck. I don’t often get into a place where I am “upset” with the Lord but I think it shows here that I am allowed to speak frankly with him. I can tell him how I really feel, think and want from him. I like that.
Mark 8: 1-10
Jesus feeds the 4000
Take away thought: God created a world where there is more than enough for all if we will share.
Robert

======= Nancy:

Ramona, are you saying as Christians we are to follow this ordinance? Or just making note of it. I believe we should daily examine ourselves to see if we have fallen short in any way. To confess & continue on. I am working on my language at the moment. Not substituting other words for swear words.
I appreciate the insights you post here. Iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27.17.
Nancy

======= Dee:

I thank you Ramona for pointing out about the Sabbath. That is really interesting. It rather reminds me of Fasting. Do it on a day that may not necessarily be the same day each month or “season” of your life, but do it for refreshing and renewing of mind, body, and spirit! I love it. What I thought was interesting was in Leviticus when they were talking about sexual sin and what not to do in order to not sin, and Abraham and Sarah came into my mind. They were half siblings of one another. Sharing same moms, and it made me realize how progressed the laws had become from just a few chapters span in the Bible. However, I know that there weren’t as many people on the earth and “closer” family members had to produce the kin and offspring on the earth and the Lord God blessed it. I think that is the whole message in a nutshell! Do as the Lord God commandeth you to do and you will reap a harvest in due season if you don’t faint or be weary. He blessed the seed of Abraham, he continually wanted to bless the Israelites too, however, he had to set some boundaries before they become like the pagan’s and live riotous lifes. Also, about living the simple life, Mike, I think by some of us on the bible lesson(blog) are doing the first “right” steps at that and it is reading and studying the Word of God each day. That to me, is the first simple and “well” thing I could be doing. However, my spouse and me simplified our lives this past year when I got let go from my teaching job for not enough enrollment, they had to do some cuts, and I can tell you, it was hard on my flesh at first, giving up a salary, having my pride knocked down a bit, but it has humbled me and awakened a renewed fresh awareness of an ever present God! I am encouraged now with security, peace, stability, and with Gods help, living out Proverbs 31 in being a woman after Gods own heart (by the way if any ladies want a good book, Elizabeth George, A Woman After Gods Own Heart, excellent read!!) God bless, take care, each and every one of you, know that God loves YOU and He is on the throne!!
Dee

======= David:

It is a good reminder to live simply. However, simply does not mean poorly. In ther era of consumerism and materialism, simple living is against the world tide concept.
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21
Nothing wrong with being rich, having riches as the Lord bless. But to guard against the bondage of greed and self-sufficience. Blinded to the needs of the needy. To build faulty confidence and self-worth in riches than on God alone. To store up treasure on earth rather than heaven, because that is where your heart will be.
David

======= Bowen:

i have been thinking lately about how much wisdom there is in living a simple, godly life… maybe taking a job with less pay! Mike u hit a homerun with that one…. what a tremendous thought, lets actually get off the roller coaster the world tells us to get on, and get on the one that could lead to us more happiness and truw joy…. wooooo Glory…. what a tremendous thought!
Bowen

======= James:

“What in our life really demonstrates that we have regard for the weak?”
Go to a meeting of Adult Children of Alcoholics and you will find a lot of co-dependent nurses and doctors who choose professions of helping only because being around weakness helps them feel better. 15% of Americans, in fact, have clinical personality disorders where their only pleasures are controlling others and the jobs they most seek are (in order) councilor, K-12 teacher, law enforcement, religious leader, and company executive. This is why all of our actions (esp helping the weak) must be based on loving God first and waiting on His instruction and not feeling good (what most people say motivates them to do good) just as Satan’s first attempt to temp Christ was to be useful to the weak by turning stones into bread to feed the hungry.
Speaking of cash, Rainer rates (in my words) people’s chances of getting into heaven as U5 to U1 and C1 to C5 and he has found the best predictor of spiritual failure is cash and little else. Mother Teresa was poorly regarded when she suggested a multi-story hospital be built without an elevator (she said just to trust God) and had to leave her church to prove living so simply could be successful before being invited back. When missionaries are asked what they most need, a common response today is, “Just don’t send money – that only makes us weaker!”
Be careful what you pray for, generally the worst thing we can get is what we ask for (we’re so much better at knowing what we want rather than what we need)… at the very least when we ask for Him to make something happen (like healing a friend) He will say, “OK, go do it and I’ll be with you all the way.” When the homeless stop me for money, I’m more likely to hand out cards with the phone numbers and addresses of the two dozen closest social services and explain which might be the best for obtaining a free bed, food, a job, and training… and several have tracked me down to tell me that I had saved their lives with just some knowledge of what to do.
IMHO, the best way to demonstrate regard for the weak is how we deal with the speck in their lives to help recognize and deal with the log that’s in our own. Kurt Lewin, founder of social psychology, said, “You cannot understand a system unless you change it.” Likewise, to know one’s self, one also must change his or herself. How has changing yourself brought about your own improved self-awareness? What is your personal soul encouragement routine and what is your spiritual growth plan? How have you done selling it to the weak to make them as strong (or even stronger) than yourself (to teach them how to fish instead of only giving them fish)?
James

Leviticus 15:1-16:28 + Mark 7:1-23 + Psalm 40:11-17 + Proverbs 10:13-14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 15 we read about bodily discharges…  Anyone want to be the guest blogger on this chapter today?  🙂  I am thinking today is a good day to share with you some of Bible.org’s essays on the topic of sex.  (though sex is only mentioned briefly in this chapter, still seems appropriate)  Check out Bob Deffinbaugh’s “Sex and the Spiritual Christian” at this link. (it’s not based on this chapter but 1 Corinthians 7)   Daniel Wallace with bible.org has comments on Biblical views of sex at this link.  And then Bob Deffinbaugh again at bible.org has commentary on the relationship between spirituality and sexuality at this link. 

In Leviticus chapter 16 we read about the Day of Atonement.  Ever wonder where the term “scapegoat” came from?  Now you know!  This chapter.  Check out verses 20-23 about the scapegoat – “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tabernacle, and the altar, he must bring the living goat forward. He is to lay both of his hands on the goat’s head and confess over it all the sins and rebellion of the Israelites. In this way, he will lay the people’s sins on the head of the goat; then he will send it out into the wilderness, led by a man chosen for this task. After the man sets it free in the wilderness, the goat will carry all the people’s sins upon itself into a desolate land.” There was also the other goat which was sacrificed.  I read a commentary that said that both of these 2 goats foreshadowed Jesus’ death – that Jesus was both sacrificed for atonement for our sins and Jesus is our permanent scapegoat.

In verse 34 we read – “This is a permanent law for you, to make atonement for the Israelites once each year.” You’ll notice the “once a year” wording in this verse. Contrast this with Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice discussed in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 12 – 14 – “But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” For further study on Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice, please read Hebrews chapters 10 and 9. Bible.org’s commentary on Leviticus chapter 16 & “The Day of Atonement” is at this link. 

New Testament – How very interesting that today’s readings in Mark are about “Clean and Unclean” – based on all of our Leviticus readings recently about this subject.  Today we read about Jesus confronting the Pharisees about their “own traditions”.  I read in NIV Study Bible and OYB Companion commentaries that after the Babylonian exile (we’ll read about this late this year in the One Year Bible), Jewish rabbis began to make meticulous rules and regulations governing the daily life of people.  And that these rules were added to God’s law and essentially elevated to the same sacred status by the Pharisees.  In 200 A.D. these traditions of the elders were put into writing in the Mishnah. I think what Jesus gets at here in this chapter is that the Pharisees were allowing the “rules & regs” to overshadow the spirit of God’s law.  They were not honoring their parents because of the practice of Corban – giving $ to the temple.  Which is a good thing… but at the expense of a great thing of caring for your parents?   I know we all could probably go round and round on what is the greatest good – how should we spend our time and our money and our lives.  I like that Jesus basically takes us to the heart.  What is the heart of the matter?  No matter what the matter is – taking care of your parents, giving to your church, following God’s laws, receiving God’s grace – what is the heart of the matter?   One thing that I have been so blessed to learn over the past few years is that the condition of our hearts matters.  Immensely.  The motives of why we do something – anything – matters.  Immensely.  We are called in Proverbs to “guard our hearts, for it is the wellspring of life.”   If we do not care for the state of our hearts, we can become very regimented or insensitive in our thinking and doing.  We might even get to the point in verse 8 of this chapter where Jesus quotes from Isaiah – “`These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away.”  How is the state of your heart today?  Is it close to God?

Jesus continues to speak about the importance of what is in our hearts in verses 20-23 today –  “It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.”  I think this takes us back again to the Sermon on the Mount – where Jesus teaches us in one example that yes, it is wrong to commit adultery.  But, if you commit adultery in your heart, it is just as wrong.  Because if you commit adultery in the heart, you have essentially defiled your own heart.  And from the heart could come the actual act of committing adultery – which would then shatter several lives.  But it all starts in the heart….   So – the good news?  Jesus can heal our hearts!  Jesus is in the business of heart-healing!  Maybe in your life, you might need to refocus a little bit less on some external actions and start focusing on the state of your heart?   Maybe by focusing on what’s going no inside your heart, the external actions will ultimately change?   Maybe allow Jesus to heal your heart – and then your external life will be healed as well?  I’m not sure you can go about this the other way – trying to work from the outside back in…  I think you may need to start on the inside first and work your way out.  But don’t do this alone – let Jesus walk this healing path with you.

Psalms – Today Psalm 40 verse 16 stood out to me for it’s pure joy and praise – “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!””  Does this verse resonate with you today?  Have you searched for God in your life?  Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search?  Do you love God’s salvation?  Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you? 

Maybe if verse 16 does not resonate for you today, hopefully verse 17 can encourage you – “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God.”  Do you believe that Jesus is thinking about you right now?  Do you believe that Jesus is your helper and your savior?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 14 today is a great teaching to literally treasure knowledge.  Do you treasure knowledge?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the song “Be Thou My Vision.” Here’s a great live version by Shane & Shane:

Who or what is your vision? Click here for your eternal vision!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on four verses of Scripture today: “He (Jesus) went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” Mark 7:20-23 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your heart is clean. Clean of all evil thoughts, sexual immorality and folly.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day –  Back to my reflections above on Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice in the OT section above.  Do you believe that Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all”? Do you believe that Jesus is your High Priest who has made Atonement for your sins? Do you believe that Jesus as your High Priest sits at the right hand of God? If so, how might fully realizing this change how you live? How you pray? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Leviticus 15:1-16:28
Although off topic for today’s reading, but not off topic for the book, I am writing about something that has been on my heart regarding the book of Leviticus. There are a lot of things in this book that we have not grasped the meaning so we wrestle with trying to understand what we are reading about, what is clean and unclean, animal, social practices, etc. Some of it, no, must of what we read doesn’t make sense to our logical minds so we try to place the regulations and cleansing ritual into a form that makes sense to us. WE explain away things as being something for way back then because they didn’t have … But is that the correct thing to do? I don’t know but what I do know is this,
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3)
And knowing all means all, which means no one is left out, so there is no one who hasn’t sinned, except Jesus.
The consequence for sin is death! “For the wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23).
However there was a sacrificial system put in place both in the Old and New Testament to deal with the sin and death problem. The system put in place by the death of Jesus Christ ushered in the New just as when the testator’s death ushers in the distribution of the wealth left after the death of the will maker. There is no distinction made by God for sin, sin is sin. {10 For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it (James 2:10 Amp)}We are the ones that make up levels of sin and different degrees of sin. And if all have sinned no one is innocent. That death sentenced is stayed and freedom is obtained, we discover, when we finish reading that twenty-third verse of the sixth chapter of Romans, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Jesus Christ had not come in the Old Testament so they were under the Law, which was more than the Ten Commandments, which pointed to Christ. That Law was provided to keep them in Fellowship with God, it was not put into place to restore Relationship with God because they were still God’s chosen people. Sin cannot abide with God and since we all sin, which by the way in both the Greek and Hebrew means to “miss the mark” as in a bulls eye we have all missed the mark even as we aim for the center!
Remember the word used in the NLT in the first five chapters of Leviticus when describing the reason or situations for the sacrifice, the text states, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the Israelites the following instructions for dealing with those who sin unintentionally … (Lev 4:1-2a) Sin, intentional and unintentional, creates a ripple effect amongst those who are sinned against. If someone carelessly spills coffee on you, the cost for you to have your clothes cleaned is greater than the cost of that cup of coffee, except if you’ve gotten the coffee from Starbucks or my school’s café. That is why the Law provides for restitution.
The sacrificial system of daily sacrifices that were mandatory and the ones required for intentional and unintentional sin reminded the Israelites daily, 24/7, that they were surrounded by sin in a sinful world. A world brought into a sinful state by the fall of man back in the garden. The system of sacrifices in the Old Testament and the sacrifice of Jesus is God bringing us back to the “In the beginning … state that man had been in before the fall as long as man submitted to the terms of the covenant. Failure didn’t break Israel’s relationship with God; they were still His people just as failure doesn’t break the True Believers’ relationship with God today. However failure will break Fellowship and the means and methods to restore Fellowship was and is provided for in both the Old and New Covenant.
Leviticus 15:1-16:28
Chapter 15, dealing with sexual practices, may also be an exercise in “self-control,” one of the fruit of the spirit. I don’t even know if this is a connection but all day I kept thinking about Proverbs 25:28,
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. [Prov. 16:32.] (AMP). Adhering to the ceremonial cleanliness laws certainly would have a woman’s husband practicing a great deal of restraint.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Sammy:

It is my personal opinion that Chapter 15 of Leviticus is referring to neither the “good” or “evils” of sex. I could go so far as to say I don’t believe it is referring to sex at all. It is speaking of common sense cleanliness. These people were not privileged to live in an age as we do where the means of taking care of “discharges” can be met by the Hygiene aisles at the local pharmacy…ie., incontinence and personal hygiene/sanitary items. Further, the convenience of washing machines, dryers and Tide can make the bed clean should an “accident” happen. Although this is an important chapter, let’s be careful not to make it something other than what it is. Chapter 17, however, is definitely going into the do’s and don’ts of sex and has very important issues which should be addressed. Just a thought!
Sammy

======= Betty:

I totally agree with Sammy’s comment above. When growing up I heard time and time again from my parents when questioning something in the Bible, “When the Word of God makes perfect sense, seek no other sense!” We do sometimes try to add thoughts when God was making a clear, simple principle!!
Regarding the Scapegoat – what a beautiful picture of Jesus! I have always been awed by that thought. Our Savior – Messiah was ALSO our scapegoat. He took the blame laid on Himself and carried it away. The symbolism of the scapegoat gives me an even greater picture of His love than even the name Savior or Messiah! Because as a human I can grasp the concept of the scapegoat where I can’t always fully comprehend all the meaning behind “Savior” or “Messiah.” It is an “earthy” picture, an object lesson of sorts, picturing our Jesus as the scapegoat that took my sins away! How great is His love!
Betty

======= Mark:

Every other sacrifice in Leviticus applies to just one person. The scapegoat was efficacious for all the sin, rebellion and iniquities for the children of Israel. Yes, a beautiful picture of Christ, the second Adam, who gave his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 7:20-23 Ouch!! Sometimes I pride myself in what I avoid – but again I am reminded that it is what goes out of my mouth (and life) that defiles me. How blessed I am that Jesus bore that away from the camp as well!!
Psalm 40:16 “But all who are hunting for you– oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you’re all about tell the world you’re great and not quitting.”
Have I mentioned that God is great lately? ;-o)
Keep walking with God, keep walking through his Word!
Mark

======= Ed:

How wonderful God is!!! He is so great that we must constantly be reminded that nothing we do makes us holy. He alone is the source of our holiness… As someone has said, “Holiness is not something placed on the outside and forced inward; rather, it is something place on the inside [by God] and works its way outward.”
What great readings today that contrast this very idea that what man could not do in the flesh; God can do in the spirit!
Ed

========= Anka:

Lev16:21 “He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head”.Hmmm the priest sure had his work cut out for him….confessing ALL Israel’s sins…wonder if the goat just stood there quietly,guess not.Jesus has made prayer and intercession so much easier,not to mention having access to God by faith( not cleansing rituals and sacrifices)
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The LORD be exalted!”
Truly we have cause to exalt God for his mercy!
Anka

====== Roslyn:

Daniel Wallace’s philosophical, psychological, theological/biblical treatise on love and sex/sexuality is a “must” to read. I’m glad that someone has finally tried to put together a holistic view on love and sex and its signifciance in strengthening the committted relationship between two individuals.
Sometimes Christians when talking about sex (and other issues) merely quote scripture to support their arguments without taking into consideration
the psychological aspects of our humanity. As human beings, we are all these in one: physical, intellectual/cognitive, socio-emotional, moral, spiritual.
It’s when we separate or dichotomize our nature that we end up having problems with our own selves just as when we separate ourselves or out of synch in our relationship with God.
A beautiful sexual relationship between two committed people strengthens the emotional bond and brings about spiritual unity. Indeed this is symbolized by the triangle with Christ at its apex as diagrammed by Daniel in his concluding paragpraph.
This was exactly the kind of marriage that I had with the beauty and splendor of sex, emotionally strong, spiritually grounded/rooted though unfortunately it only lasted seven years, but I can proudly say to this day —-they were the most beautiful years of my life!!!
Roslyn

======= Micah Girl:

What a blessing, Roslyn, that you experienced : – )
Micah Girl

======= Laura:

Rosyln, great synopsis on Daniel Wallace’s article and I am glad that you experienced a happy and Godly marriage for 7 years. It’s unfortunate that it only lasted for so brief a period of time. I hope that you will find that joy in your life again. It’s great that we can have joy and peace in our life because of Christ when people often fail us.
God alone, as Ed says is our source of holiness. I don’t think I could of said that better myself. Good day and God bless.
Laura

======= Mae:

Psalm 40 is awesome!!! Just AWESOME!!!
Verse 16 kept echoing in my head “But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”
You know .. it’s 7.30am and THIS is the best way to start my day! I have a huge smile on my face “The Lord is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”.
Does this verse resonate with you today? Have you searched for God in your life? Are you filled with joy and gladness because of that search? Do you love God’s salvation? Do you shout praises to God for all he has done for you? ~ I have searched for God in my life, absolutely! And yes, I’m filled with joy and gladness because of that! I know He’s with me all the time, He lives in my heart and that’s my faith and freedom! He has done so much for me! I just can’t stop smiling today … just because I had the time to start out with doing todays readings and saw verse 16 of Psalm 40. FYI, I’m listerening to U2 now … “40” …
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really need to go. We have a special guest today, my little cousine from 2 years old. She’s so cute … but a hand full, eh? LOL
Have a wonderful day everybody!
Remember: THE LORD IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mae

======= Sunshine:

Psalms 40 is truly awesome!! I sing in my car every day with the except of this week of the sore throat about how awesome God is..:) Yeah!! Air 1 is what I listen to and it makes my day 
Jesus is our High Priest.
I believe that Jesus is our High Priest that sits at the right hand of God. This has changed me by the way that I have a little boy and I want him to know who Jesus is and where he came from. He is always asking me questions. We have had a lot of death in our family so I explain to him where Heaven is and he understands, I personally think that is wonderful for a 3 year old.
Sunshine

======= Jenny:

Wow, the I love Ps 40. that is sooo my prayer right now!
“Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.
“Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me….As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay!”
i’m just praying this one!
I love in Mark how Jesus talks about the heart: It is what comes from inside that defiles you.
so much we try to blame outer things on our sin, like the ease of access to sinful things. which certainly doesnt help! but wen it comes down to it, all these evil things are already in our heart, and thats still not an excuse.
Lev ch 15, um… eeeeeeeeeeew. lol
Jenny

======== Elizabeth:

Hello Out There! ; )
This verse from psalms reminded me of all we have been reading in Leviticus regarding sacrifices:
“In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.” -Psalm 40:6
And the Believer’s Bible Commentary here fleshes this out nicely:
“In Heb_10:5-9 we learn that these words were the language of the Son of God when He came into the world. He was saying, in effect, that although God had instituted sacrifice and offering for the nation of Israel, they never represented His ultimate intention. They were designed as types and shadows of something better to come. As temporary stop-gaps, they had their place. But God was never really satisfied with them; to Him they were less than ideal because they did not provide a final solution to the sin problem. Recognizing the inherent weakness of burnt offerings and sin offerings, God instead opened the ears of His Beloved Son. This simply means that the Savior’s ears were open to hear and to obey the will of His Father. It was with this attitude of willing and ready obedience that Christ came into the world.”–Believer’s Bible Commentary
With all of those regulations and requirements, it was still not really what the Lord was after with all of us (thank God!) I would crumble under that, at least I think I would from my comfort-driven 21st century perspective.
Thank God that Christ was open to obedience, to bearing our sins when we were clearly not able.
I love this verse from Psalm 40 too:
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock.” -Psalm 40:2
Surely He’s done this for ALL who trust in Him. Isn’t there an old song/hymn that uses this imagery: “He took my fee out of miry clay” or something along those lines? And it reminds me of Pilgrim’s Progress too when little Christian was trying to get through that bog.?
Elizabeth

======= Annette:

I have learnt that the only way of victory is to subject each thought to Christ. To flee as Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife. To leave friends that are bad influence and to watch what I am subjecting my mind to (TV) and certain music. It is like a bird flying over your head (the thought) if you allow the bird to sit it will make a nest. Once … See Morethe thought process has fully developed and if not stopped, sin then is fully grown and brings forth death. Spiritual death especially if continued. Thankfully that should we have sinned we can come to the Father and confess before Him and He makes us just as if we have never sinned because of Christ Jesus. Victory is possible, but we need to understand the process of sin so that we can avoid falling.
Annette

======= Zac:

I have found very few hymns that deal with the themes of Leviticus in a way that is deep and rich. Isaac Watts has written one which is an exception to the rarity. We’ve set it to new music, and if people are interested in a reflection that nails the heart of the first half of Leviticus through the lens of Christ, I commend the song!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GCTsFBqgaZw?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

Thanks,
Zac Hicks
http://www.zachicks.com

======== Steve:

Mark 7:20-23
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Today’s readings and Mike’s links all point the same direction, the need to humble ourselves before God and take Him at His word. The links on marriage point to the necessity of seasoning our relationships with grace, humility and solid biblical principles.
The links on relationship also made me wonder if we might do well to re-think some of our relationships, changing our view from people that come up short and don’t fully meet our expectations too people who are succeeding, excelling, doing well. When we look at others as succeeding, we are humbling ourselves; we are soothing and promoting unity. I think this view also frees us because as we stop finding fault in others, we stop skeptical thoughts from incubating which frees us from the need to polish our own brass and maintain our own false image.
Steve

======= Tammy:

Mike,
I know I am a few days late in posting this but I can tell you that I have really gotten into the readings this last couple of days. I was on a retreat w/out internet access so I could read my daily reading but not the blog. So this morning I am catching up with reading the blog. It is really interesting to me this year as I am reading Leviticus how much more I am getting from it and that I am enjoying it. That surprises me! The reading on this day really was interesting because of both a OT and NT teaching on cleanliness. Going to the OT and reading about the sacrifices and the use of a scapegoat is a clear picture of the Christ to come. Just as the priest placed his hands on the goat and transfered sin to the goat who was then slaughtered, we have all place our sins on Christ and He was crucified. What a powerful image in my mind. He was the final sacrifce! I can take my sins directly to my High Priest for forgiveness and His name is Jesus. And yes The word tells us He sits at the Father’s right hand so our voices calling out to Him echo in His Father’s ears also. Oh How He Loves Us!!!
Tammy

======= Bob:

SEX: David Maclean has some interesting words (and tips) about men and our wives in his weekly blogs: “How’s the viz?” Wholehearted Men – Dave MacLean
Here is an excerpt: “Women bear the image of God in a way that is very distinct from how men bear the image of God. There are many ways in which that is evident, but one way is in a woman’s desire to be pursued, to be delighted in.
God said, “If you seek me you will find me if you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:13
Basically God is saying, “I am worth your effort. Pursue me.”
I believe women carry that same desire to be pursued. Your wife wants you to pursue her, to delight in her, to discover her, and to demonstrate your love for her. She wants to know that she is worthy of your pursuit.”
Bob

======== Renee:

I love how Jesus speaks to people. With such direct honesty and clarity. Everything he said had purpose and was meaningful to all he spoke to at that moment. The people could relate to his parables and examples.
Sadly, the Pharisees chose their traditions and practices over what Jesus was saying. They couldn’t and did not want to relate to his messages. They spoke about God…but, their heart was far from him.
Renee

======= Robert:

Mark 7
Lots to chew on and Jesus certainly stirs up things here.
When it comes to God’s Laws I have to try to distinguish between religion and Human tradition. A lot of it like washing hands is common sense and prudent. Our hearts are sometimes in question, especially vain worship. Some of the rules we face can be our human nature and the root of our sin. We had a big issue about teens wearing hats in the sanctuary during worship. I still don’t know if its wrong but it sure stirred up some heated debate. What would Jesus say?
When it comes to guarding my heart, I like to think of myself as a temple of the Holy Spirit. God dwells in me. What’s Jesus say to me about what goes in and comes out of that temple? If I have questions or problems with that then simply asking him should lead me to answers. For instance, I know I have pride issues I don’t always see, so I ask to be aware of that sin before it rears its ugly head. Like in my post yesterday when a friend called me a sage. I had to deliberate over that awhile before I wrote it. My words to him were not mine. It was all God and I was only the chosen instrument. Know what I mean?
BE THOU MY VISION
I have already requested that this be sung at my funeral some day.
Psalm 40:12
My sins are more than the hairs of my head. Yet God knows every hair on my head. Luke 12:7
Marriage Issues
I recommend a good Christian counselor and your pastor can usually help with this. I had the opportunity to attend a Promise Keepers Retreat a few years ago and this is usually a first priority topic. Of course, it is a men’s get together so here are a few good perspectives from a guy’s point of view;
https://www.youtube.com/embed/PhJOMlmUXY4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
Robert

======= Mitch:

NT – In those times – there was a word for “brain” but humanity did not know how it functioned. In ancient Israel the heart was considered to be the seat of the mind, desires, emotions, and will.
So what comes out of your mind, your desires, your emotions, and your decisions – that is where evil resides. It is in us.
Mitch

======= Dee:

The rituals of clean vs unclean and atonement for sin. I know it all sounds bad but God created everything for our good and wanted nothing to separate us from that love. Then u have Jesus teaching his disciples about clean vs unclean of the intentions of your heart. People that are of this world always want to contradict the Word and its testimony. However nothing. No! Thing! Now tomorrow or forever will separate God’s people from His love. His love reaches to the heavens..is forever! Amen!
Dee

======= John:

Leviticus 16 – Scapegoat
“The Need for Presentation”
How do we stand before the Lord, without the shame of our past? Yes, we are forgiven, but we still are haunted (through thoughts)at times by our past.
The scapegoat is a beautiful picture of that process. Notice first one was to do the sin and burnt offering, for acceptance and forgiveness. Then the scapegoat was addressed.
======================================================
“You notice that all the iniquities, all the transgressions, all the sins were placed upon the head of this goat.
Both of these goats are a picture of Jesus: In one he is represented as satisfying the heart of God on our behalf and rendering God free to love us without any restraint at all by his justice. God’s justice has been satisfied. He no longer makes demands of that kind upon us. He is free to forgive us at any time and to love us. But the second goat represents Christ as bearing the whole weight and load of our guilt, all that which the Devil tries to use as a basis upon which to ground his accusations against us. All this is to be sent back to him from whence it comes. When our Lord died he went into the wilderness of death like this goat, and returned to Satan all the accusations which he has against any believer at any time.
So what this passage is teaching us is that this is what we are to do with these accusations. In Ephesians 6, Paul calls them “the fiery darts of the wicked one” {cf, Eph 6:16}, i.e., all those little suggestions to us that we really aren’t accepted and loved by God, that he still has a reservation about us and that we still aren’t able openly and boldly to come before his presence, and all the haunting memories of our past shame, our feelings of unworthiness, our filthy thoughts, and the flashes of fear that come upon us. What are we to do with them? Well, we are simply to put them right on the head of Jesus and say, “Lord, take them back to Satan. They don’t belong to me. They are not my thoughts. They didn’t originate with me. They may feel like mine but they are not. They belong to him. That is where they came from and I am sending them back. And I recognize that in your sight they are no longer taken into account in any degree, and that I stand boldly in your presence.”
That is the purpose of the great Day of Atonement. It means that we are able to do as the Scriptures exhort us — to stand and present ourselves before the Lord of Glory and, as Paul says in Romans 12, “by the mercies of God, present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship,” {cf, Rom 12:1 RSV}.”
John

======= John:

Mark 7:9
“And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” NIV
“tradition – Gk. Paradosis – giving over, surrender, substitute.
God wants YOU. He wants all of you. At salvation – He wants all your heart – not just the part you are willing to submit to God.
Isaiah said it, and Jesus said it – people who think they are following God by substituting what “mankind” is willing to “give over” to God – well, their worship is in vain.
Don’t get me wrong – the things offered in substitution are not “bad” – afterall – one would never offer God something bad. People offer God any or all of rituals, Sunday time, money, formulaic prayer, good works. That is not what God wants – He wants ALL of you. The substitutes “man” offers above – are simply not good enough.
He wants repentance (John the Baptist), acknowledgment of sin (Paul), and that you believe and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior (all through the gospel of John). He wants your heart to not only acknowledge and believe, but to Trust in Him.
So the question is: Did you give God what He wants? – what He commands? – or did you (knowingingly or unknowingly)fall into a religious ritualistic upbringing where the “tradition” of man has decided what it is God wants? Seems right to you, plenty of others do it, works for you, I am offering God good things, etc.
That is not an easy question – it is one that each person has to examine in their own hearts. When it comes to God’s Word and the “traditions” (substitutes) of mankind, the choice of which to follow has eternal consequences. When in conflict – the two cannot be mixed.
======================================================
I wrote the above in terms of salvation. That is the “worst case scenario” of falling into man’s traditions/substitutes. It certainly can also apply to a “believer” who has retrenched. Who does not worship God with all their heart. Who is in sin, and out of fellowship with God.
The beauty of that is – like in Leviticus 15 – one has to just go wash in the Word and confess and ask for forgiveness from God and fellowship will be restored. Just like the person with discharge (uncleanliness) has to wait for the evening (The new day in Jewish culture). the restoration of fellowship with God will be a “new day” for them. God will forgive and restore.
John

======= John:

Mark 7:20-23
“He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” NIV
Ray Stedman says, “This is very important for us to know. It is what delivers Christians from being self-righteous snobs — when we realize that what our Lord has outlined here is true of every single one of us. Do not go through this list and pick out the things you do not do. What Jesus is saying to you is, “If you are guilty of one of them, you are capable of all of them.” You need only the proper circumstances to show you how true that is.”
Man is fallen in nature – and it stems from what is in our heart. I believe that is why God demands our coming to Him with an open heart. It is why Isaiah and Jeremiah talk about the “heart” a lot!!!
Even if you do not accept Ray’s comments about your capability of performing any sin on the list – consider this:
-Hitler sinned.
-I have sinned.
-Hitler and I are miles apart from each other in our natures.
-without “salvation” both of us are millions upon millions of miles apart from God.
Therefore – standing where God stands and from his Holy (separate and distinct) postion – when he looks at Hitler and I from millions upon millions of miles away – we are indistinguishable. We may be miles apart – but to God – the difference is moot. We both need the blood of Christ to be able to approach God at death.
The point is: It is not the degree of sin in our lives, but that we ALL are sinners by nature.
Rom 3:10
“As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;” NIV
John

Leviticus 14:1-57 + Mark 6:30-56 + Psalm 40:1-10 + Proverbs 10:11-12
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 14 we read about cleansing from skin diseases and treatment of contaminated houses.  I found the treatment of the mildew in the houses quite fascinating – with verse 45 telling us about the ultimatum for a house if the mildew reappears: “It must be torn down, and all its stones, timbers, and plaster must be carried out of town to the place designated as ceremonially unclean.”  This chapter again goes into the clean & the unclean.  If you didn’t get chance to read the Bible.org commentary on Clean & Unclean from Leviticus chapters 12 through 15, you may want to take a few minutes to read it at this link.  Verses 52 & 53 today: “After he has purified the house in this way, he will release the living bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way, the priest will make atonement for the house, and it will be ceremonially clean.”

New Testament – Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 46: “Afterward he (Jesus) went up into the hills by himself to pray.” What a beautiful verse for each of us to meditate upon! Jesus went by himself to pray to God. It is interesting to note that this took place just after Jesus fed the 5,000. Jesus had been working hard – he is God and yet he still felt the call to pray to the Father. I think this verse is such a great reminder that you and I need to follow Jesus’ example in this verse. And we’re so not God! 🙂 So, think about how much more crucial it is for us to pray. Jesus knew that God was his source of strength. His comfort. His wisdom. And prayer was the one sure fire way for Jesus to really connect and spend time with God. How is your prayer life these days? Are you finding a good amount of time each day to be by yourself and pray? If not, can you schedule this time into your calendar each day?

Psalms – Psalm 40 starts off in verse 1 with a beautiful reflection on David “waiting patiently for the Lord” about his prayer, and in turn God “heard his cry.” David then goes forward in the Psalm rejoicing in the Lord and culminating in this powerful statement in verse 8: “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” How does this Psalm speak to you today? Do you wait patiently for the Lord in your prayer life? Do you desire to do God’s will? Is His law within your heart today?

Proverbs – Today we read in Proverbs chapter 10 verse 11: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.” WOW! I love this Proverb on so many levels. The idea of a “fountain of life” is such a great metaphor! Because I think what comes out of our mouth is so much like a fountain – and we are hopefully pouring forth Living Water for others. However, I imagine that there are times when our fountain is not quite so clean and we’re pouring forth something else. I think what I find so meaningful about this verse is that I have really been convicted of how important and impactful our words are to others. Our words can really build people up – or tear people down if we are not careful. I don’t know about you, but I know there are times in my life when I can be negative with what I say. Then, there are times when I can be very positive and I feel like the enthusiasm is contagious to others. And these are the times when perhaps my words seem to be a bit more like a fountain of life. I say all of this to just encourage you to reflect on the words that come from your mouth. 

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Mark 6 about Jesus praying and Psalm 40 about David praying reminded me of the Casting Crowns song “What If His People Prayed.” Here’s a great live version:

Are you praying? Click here and pray!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:11 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your mouth would be a fountain of life to all you speak to today. Pray that your mouth would be filled with righteousness.

Comments from you & Questions of the Day:  Per Proverbs 10:11 above, are your words typically a fountain of life to others? Are you cognizant of what you say and how you say it to others around you so that your words truly will become a fountain of life to others?  Or are you sometimes careless with your words?   Do you think our words matter?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Leviticus 14:1-57
As I read the beginning of this chapter, I heard the words, “Weren’t ten cleansed?” These are the Words of Jesus after ten men who had leprosy were sent to the Temple to show themselves to the priests in Jerusalem. The text states (Luke 17:11-19) that the men with leprosy were healed as they went, so all were healed. Yet one man, a non-Jew, a foreigner, returned to Jesus after seeing that he had been healed and worshiped, 15 Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice; (AMP). Instead of sending him back on the road to Jerusalem, Jesus sent him on his way because he gave glory to God.
Reading this text in Leviticus, one can see how “expensive” it would be to be healed, purified, and cleansed. The ten men were beggars and may not have had the income to purchase what was required to be made ritually clean. However, Jesus released that one man from the burden of the requirements of the Law. Again words spoken by Jesus come to my thoughts, words spoken to the religious leaders who believed they held the “way” to righteousness, ” 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8 NIV)
The remainder of chapter fourteen is very personal to me. In December from the first through the tenth, the inside walls of my two bedroom apartment, as well as the inside exterior walls were taken down because I had mold within the walls of my apartment. I know what it feels like to be displaced while your home is being “gut” renovated while everything you own is still inside. I know what it feels like to have practically every upholstered piece of furniture thrown out because there is too much dust from the demolition and the fear that the mold has spread to everything.
I went from a horrified fear to acceptance and thankfulness, I understood the passage in the book of Romans that states, “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.”(Romans 12:2) The word translated “renewing” also means, renovation, complete change for the better. I recognized that my “apartment” experience had a real life application. As we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds, we may not even be able to live in ourselves because the walls are being taken down, even the sinks and the toilet.
Mark 6:30-56
“32 They left by boat for a quieter spot. 33 But many people saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and met them as they landed.”
All I can say is “folks” gotta be running real fast to outrun a boat by passing rocky terrain. It would be such a blessing to see people pursue God with the same fervor that they pursue the world.
Psalm 40:1-10
Waiting, waiting patiently, waiting without crying out to God, “Where are you,” takes a deep abiding faith and trust in God. It takes assurance and a knowing that God will do what He says He will do. I have barley arrived to the place where I know that there is a God but my heart’s desire is to be as confident as David and state boldly, “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
Proverbs 10:11-12
The words that the godly speak may not seem godly when those words are spoken. I believe most of the time the words that lead to life cut through the pride, arrogance and greed of our lives, which are painful cuts. Some words “dung it”(Luke 13:8), to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls (Strongs’ Concordance), casing aside and loosening the soil of our lives preparing our hearts to receive the incorruptible seed that is the Word of God.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Dee:

such an awesome statement you made about the lepers, or should I say, “the one leper” who received his healing and gave thanks unto God, All were cleansed but only one was freed. That is so true. There are so many people who receive redemption through Christ but yet still live in bondage and don’t realize that the chains are gone, they have been set free, like Chris Tomlins song, Amazing Grace. Thats amazing in itself!! I wanted to speak on a few things above. The Lev. 14 reminded me of reading this last year with the one year bible group and remembering the significance of the cleanliness and why it was carried out as, blood on right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, I remember last year, it was mentioned that the uncleaned once they got sanctified and cleansed from all unrighteousness, that this “blood” was an atonement and protection for them to go and be cleansed of whatsoever they heard, touched and walked, that the blood covered and protected them in all three areas, and last but not least they placed blood offereing on forehead, and I believe that was to bless whatsoever they saw, they be blessed. Kind of a reference or reminder of those little monkeys you see at markets sometimes, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil, but with a little more preparation and that was whatsoever they walked and went be sanctified. Also, I wanted to speak from Mikes commentary above in reference to Proverbs 10:11-12 about the mouth and it being the Fountain of Life or some could speak wrongly and produce curses rather than blessings, we spoke about that at church last night, about the Word being a seed and that when you speak the seed is going forth to be harvested and either someone comes along and speaks in opposition to the Word and it gets plucked out of the soils of our heart, and sometimes we feel like the seed going forth is not getting planted or registered when another sower comes by with the same Word and “waters” it and that “aha” feeling happens with a believer. They finally realize, hey, I got it, I finally understand what you have told me all along. That happened with some of our precious men and ladies this past weekend when they went on a mission trip to a boys camp for juveniles under lock up. The ministry that goes forth there sometimes “feels” like it falls on deaf ears but then someone else “new and unfamilier” comes in and relates the same Word to them and life goes forth to that spoken Word. Also brought to mind Hebrews 4:12 and it states, For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Be careful, all of us, of our tongue, and use it to edify the Lord. God Bless,
Dee

======= Lily:

Amen Ramona & Dee.
At times (or most of the time) we forget the consequences of our actions and the words that come out of our mouth. The people around us (especially our children) learn from us through our actions and words that come out of our mouth. Words that are unclean and hurtful have a lasting effect. I am saddened that 4 letter words are becoming part of our regular part of our societies vocabulary. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be clean and acceptable to the Lord. Remind me O Lord that I can not take back what I said that may be hurtful to others. Teach me to pause and be patient before I speak.
Lily

======= Jeff:

Ramona, the one cured leper who came back to Jesus actually did exactly as he was told, whether he realized it or not. He did “show himself to the priest,” Jesus our great High Priest! The priest at the Temple wouldn’t have accepted him, a Samaritan, but Jesus accepted his grateful worship as a sufficient sacrifice and sent him on his way.
Jeff

======= Mick:

Like Mike, I was touched by Jesus going off alone to pray. I have been doing that more often these days and it has brought me closer to Jesus. The thoughts on our words and what they can do caused me to think of the writing about the tounge in James (which we will all get to later on this year).
In Christ:
Mick

======= Micah Girl:

I cannot help but read Psalm 40 without remembering my concert days in 80’s…
It was such a thrill as a new Christian to sing a psalm at a U2 rock concert:-)
Micah Girl

======= Stef:

good morning!if you take all the desriptions of a Christian from the Bible and illustrate them you would end up with some pretty wonderful images….in Philippians 2:15 is one of my favourites..we can shine like stars in the universe holding out the word of life and now today we read our mouths can be a fountain of life( what a wonderful priviledge and responsibility )….i have learned that our words can be pretty powerful , you have the ability to build a person up, encourage them, love them and yet at the same time our words if not chosen wisely can hurt people and do damage..enough reason for us to think twice before we open our mouths and consider carefully what we say.As a Christian there is not only the onus on you to be responsible for what you say and do but i was taught by an older very mature Christian that we are responsible for the perceptions of others as well..i might know what im doing is fine and all above board but if a non Christian could view what we are doing and be offended or misconstrue it would be better not to do it in that manner, we are responsible to be at all times a living witness to Christ.What is it someone once said that we might be the only Bible a non Christian would ever read?( maybe i have the saying wrong but it reminds one of the importance of the appearance of our lives to outsiders and the way God could be using us if we are obeying Him.So lets pray that we will be able to go out today and show Gods love every time we open our mouths and in how we act towards others.
Stef

======= Phil:

Stef,
Thanks for pointing out the “we can shine like stars in the universe” verse. I just re-read the final book in the Narnian tales, The Last Battle. In Narnia, stars are actually people. In the end, all the stars fall to earth and come to live with Aslan forever.
Phil

======= Alex:

From the time between the completion of the Law of Moses (ie this stuff we’re all working diligently through!!) and Jesus, there is no record of any Israelite being healed of leprosy. Miriam was healed before the Law was given and Naaman, who was also healed, was a Syrian Gentile and not a Jew.
So this section of the Bible sat there, unused, for around 1250 years. The rabbis were, of course, aware of this mystery, so by the time of the period between Old and New Testaments the belief had arisen that the ability to heal leprosy would be one of the hallmarks of the Messiah.
The amazing thing about Lev 14 is that God set it there, over 1,000 years in advance, as a ticking time bomb! When Jesus healed a leper so early in his ministry (Mark 1) and sent him to the priests, He was in effect sending the leaders a clear claim to be the Messiah. They then would have followed a clear process – 1, was this man really a leper? 2. had he been truly cleansed of the disease? 3. who had healed him?
That’s why at the beginning of Mk 2 (the story of the paralysed man let down through the hole in the roof by his mates) there are so many leaders present [some might say typical, the clergy stop the rest of the people getting close to God : )]. This is a small rural town, yet it’s packed out with the nation’s religious leaders, all checking out Jesus’ Messianic claims. And in that context Jesus takes them on a whole stage further with His dramatic declaration of the forgiveness of sins for the man (& then, almost casually, He heals him too!). So Lev 14 really is a key portion of the Bible!
Alex

======= Anka:

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.” When he tried to get away to rest…the crowds found him…and he was filled with compassion.Dealing with people is pretty difficult most times..but instead of getting upset{when I’m hungry and tired…I find it hard to show love:( }he had compassion,ignored his own hunger and fed the crowd.
“It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” Wow,the words are so soothing.I’m going to meditate on that as rush off to my second job….
God bless you everyone
Anka

======= Doug:

I am sure glad I found your web site. Last year I read the bible thru using the “Daily Bread” site. It is nice to recieve diffferent incite to my daily readings. Please pray for me, as I am recovering from a major auto accident. I was in a nursing home for 2 1/2 months and have been recovering at home for the last 2. The depression I get is overcome by my faith in the LORD. And daily reading of the Bible is a great start to my day.
God Bless!
Doug

======== Jim:

Reading such detailed regulations of cleansing from infectious skin diseases, I kept asking myself the reason why God gave them. Can anyone shed some light on the reason? I know that it must be perceived in the context of Moses’ time and situation. But what is the purpose besides good hygiene practice.
Jim

======= Ann:

Maybe the strict routines we read about were concerned with teaching the importance of discipline in the worship of God. Just a thought Jit.
Ann

======= John:

Jim,
The leper is already healed, all the rituals revolve around the cleansing. Certainly the priest could have declared the leper cleansed or washed him with some water and prounounced him clean – BUT God has something else in mind here.
This is a great picture of Christ. The need for the “need” offerings I mentioned in earlier posts and then the blood is required for cleansing (not healing – which foreshadows Christ), and the oil (also needed) being the Holy Spirit.
Everything is a symbolic picture – which even if the Israelites did not understand completely – (although they should as Hebrew is a word-picture and highly symbolic language) – when Christ came and taught, the links should be pretty clear. (remember what Christ said on Road to emmaus regarding OT).
The houses represent a body – the wandering nation then and the varying assemblies of the Body of Christ today.
I encourage you to read the bottom two thirds of the link Mike provided to Ray Stedman’s sermon on Leviticus 14. It will explain everything in much greater detail – and perhaps answer your query.
John

====== Johnnie:

I love the Psalms. Today it reminds me of two things that I love about God: 1) His faithfulness and 2) His unfailing love!!!
Johnnie

======= Becky:

On the topic of being careless with words, somewhere in Scripture there’s a verse that says we will be held accountable for every word we speak. I can’t remember where it is, (help, anyone?) but whenever I come across it, it makes me stop and think. Unfortunately, I still say a lot of junk that would be better left unsaid. It is something I’m still working on.
Christ in Psalm 40
Psalm 40:6 “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire…” After having just read so much about God’s specific instructions regarding sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus, this verse puzzled me. According to A.R. Fausset, verses 6-8 are the words of Christ, which Paul quotes in Hbr 10:5, “offering Himself as a better sacrifice.” It is so thrilling to me to see how the Old and New Testaments fit together, and how Christ is their theme.
Becky

======= Jenny:

before i get to the readings…wanted to share something God put on my heart to share. dont know why or for who, i havent thought of this in a loong time.
Back in the jr high sunday school department i was in, it was very small, only a few of us, sometimes just 2! my friend tonya and I. we were about 13 so we will silly giggly kids. well our teacher was Mike, he called himself Mike the Moose. He was a nice guy n taught us bible lessons every sunday…he made it fun! but, we were young silly girls and would get the giggles a lot, i guess were a little disrepectful…i didnt think so at the time, i had no idea in fact, i thought we were just having fun!
So he taught us for quite some time, then one day at class he sat us down and he looked very sad and said, ‘you know, i just dont feel i’m getting through to you guys. i try my best and you just sit and giggle and i just think i’m not supposed to be here, i’m not doing a good job and i’m not getting through. I feel like I’ve completely failed! you guys laugh and talk and dont give me your attention, and somehow i failed’. With that he told us he was quitting and that was it. my friend and i looked at each other in shock!
Later Tonya and I talked about it, we had NOOOO idea we hurt him, we had nooo idea, why didnt he say something b4 up and quitting? We both felt awful! it was so out of the blue to us! He WAS getting through to us…we were just at that age, you know? We wondered if we should talk to him and apologize…we actually tried to when he was telling us this, but he wouldnt listen.
Anyhow, after that when Tonya or I saw him around, he would ignore us!!! not even say hi! we were so saddened by this, we didnt understand at all. Did he resent us???
So anyway…I had lots of AWESOME Sunday School teachers that i will always remember…but unfortunately when I think of Mike the Moose, i think of the guy who quit. the guy who didnt persevere. the one who got upset and frustrated and just dumped us! and never talked to us again. Looking back as i’m older I can see where he may be coming from, and i guess the enemy was attacking him telling him lies.
So just remember, try your best, do unto the lord, no matter if you think you arent getting through, God IS using you. Dont be remembered as the one who quit.
I simply love Prov 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. how true! not just what Christ did for us in covering all our sins, but in our lives. If we are loving, if our attitude is not one of revenge, anger, payback…love can cover all sins. Ive seen God do such miracles in my life regarding this! Pride is a killer tho, but sometimes…or always, we have to be the ones to back down and love others.
I liked the commentary on Mark: “None are sent empty away from Christ.” how true!
Mike said it well regarding Jesus going off and praying by Himself. I confess, my prayer life could use a boost! If Jesus who was God sought prayer, how much do we!
A radio Christian ministry i was listening to talked about the trinity. Our minds cant possibly wrap around that..but one example was how each are 3 persons. So you have the Father (1), the Holy Spirit (1), and Jesus (1)…all three separate persons. yet if you multiply all, 1 x 1 x 1, you get 1 still! in that sense all are 3, yet they are one.
Jenny

======= Mae:

This can’t be true, Jenny!!!!!!! You know … I’ve been thinking about this all week!!! Well, not about your Sunday School adventure (LOL), but about getting through to people. And what happens if I give up trying to get through … that makes me a quitter!!! I don’t want to be a quitter!!! Especially when it comes to God’s word!!! It’s 2 of my aunts, they come to church once a week on Sunday. One of them is going to this church as long as me, she doesn’t talk too much about her personal relationship with God, I don’t know weather she did or didn’t say her rebirth prayer, if she did, she did it in some personal place, she didn’t go to the altar in church, I’m not judging her it’s between her and our Father, she did got baptised … okay, my other aunt sais she doesn’t have to be saved, because she never turned her back to ‘her religion’, she also sais she doesn’t have to be baptised, because she was baptised when she was 18, so she made her own decision at the time. Okay, now, I don’t want to give you the idea that I’m judging them, because I don’t know what kind of relationship they have with God. I know I had to go to the Altar in church to be saved, even though I never turned my back to Jesus Christ, I knew my sins had to be washed away, I wanted to be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, not only in water. But that’s me and my relationship with the Lord. BUT, the thing that bothers me is that my aunts are telling people (including my 87 year old grandmother who also joins our church since a couple of months) that they don’t need to be saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was shocked!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, come on!!! I’m going out ‘fishing’ and they go around telling people this! I mean, they join this church, this is important for our church and they’re spreading the wrong word! One of those aunts is the mother of my cousine who was saved a couple of weeks ago, Lisa. I’m glad Lisa wasn’t around her mother when she was saved, I think she would never have done it when her mother was there. Next month we have a baptism, my mom and Rene will be baptised, but Lisa didn’t present herself yet to be baptised. So my mom asked my aunt (they’re sisters) if Lisa will be baptised. My aunt said “Maybe I will have her baptised in the Summer”. In the Summer the baptisms are outside at a small lake, very beautiful! That’s important to them, the entourage … and I think it’s not about the beauty and the fun … what we’re doing in churh is not only fun! They’re always giggling and sometimes it feels they only want to ‘join’ because it seems fun. I first thought “Mae, come on, you’re annoyed because they don’t feel the same passion as you do”. But since I know they spread the wrong word … I just don’t know WHAT to feel anymore! I went through different stages 1.) leave them and hope God will show them the right path 2.) tell them up front what I think 3.) spread the right Word to the people they talk to … and since this week I was back to stage 1 … leave it to God. But I don’t want to be remembered as the one who quit …. I just don’t really know what to do with this …
I thought about U2 the minute I started to read Psalm … My older cousine and I went to Germany to buy the single “40”, it was never released in The Netherlands. I LOVE that song! I heard them singing it live and I feel blessed that I did! I think I was 12 … maybe 13 or 14. Beautiful!!!
Psalm 40 is amazing! I love verse 2 “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along”. This I feel deep in my heart!!!! “He set my feet on solid ground”, that’s what I feel! I feel steady, I feel solid, and I thank it to Him! I also love verse 10 “I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness”. Just like I’m always talking about: I’m a Christian and I’m proud of it!!!! I gospel!!!!!!! I’m NOT a quiet Christian! I really believe that my words matter! That’s why I’m really going to think about what Jenny wrote here above. I don’t want to be a quitter! I want to share what I think, feel and what I think and feel is the right thing!
Mae

======= Gary:

Psalm 40 opened up to me in a new way today. I love the way it starts with:
“I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.”
How often I need to wait on the Lord. When I do, He does “turn to me and hear my cry.” The psalmist spills out his heart, and ends with:
“I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.”
A great reminder that we should not hide the “many wonders” that God has shown to us. I was encouraged to reveal God’s “love and truth” to a world that needs to hear it.
Gary

======= Briggs:

Thanks for the various links to the commentaries on Leviticus, particularly Bible.org. They’ve been very insightful in gleaning truth and context from among these outwardly seeming grotesque sacrifices. I completely understand now Moses’ argument to Pharaoh that the Israelites had to go into the wilderness to worship because their worship would have been abhorring to the Egyptians.
All the symbolism rings with truth when linked to the New Testament but it’s hard to imagine how I would have responded to these sacrifices without the benefit of the New Testament and the wisdom and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I grew up on a farm and I’ve helped with the butchering of large animals and I still remember some of the noxious sights, and particularly the odors, of all the blood and guts. Some of the smells linger with you for days. It’s hard to imagine a Holy place with the sights and smells of blood, guts, and burnt flesh; particularly when Solomon dedicated the temple and sacrificed thousands. It’s Interesting that there is no mention of how to clean up after these sacrifices. Were the priests allowed to wash off the blood from their ears, thumbs, and toes; their priestly garments; the alter itself? Without the benefit of context, it’s terribly difficult to imagine how the LORD was pleased with the “sweet smelling aroma” of these sacrifices. Thank God for the incense that was also burned on the altar. From an outsider’s perspective, where is God in the midst of all this public killing? Surely to any outsider this would seem appalling.
Briggs

======= Jessica:

These verses stood out to me today…
Mark 6:47-51
47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning[b] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here![c]” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed
Many times we are so caught up in our struggles, trying to “row” our way through it alone, that we don’t stop to recognize that He is there with us. We have to learn to not focus on the appearance of our circumstances, and look for Him. Once we let Jesus on board, the peace will come. Another thing that stood out to me was “He intended to go past them”…I believe that God allows us to struggle our way through things in our lives to help us learn to know that even when we don’t feel like He is there, He is, and that we can look beyond our fears and find Him. How awesome is our Savior!
Thank you all for sharing your comments and insights on this blog! This is my first year to read the One Year Bible, and I love, love, love this blog!!!
God bless!
Jessica

======= Beth:

Just a quick question… what do you suppose was with the scarlet yarn and the wood thing???
Beth

======= Dee:

Beth,
I believe the scarlet yarn stood for and was significant as the blood sacrifice as was the clean animals. God gave His son for us(the clean, pure lamb of God) and we give of our self a sacrifice back(our life, our possessions, in this sense the scarlet yarn) Its just like in Joshua when the story of Rahab was told(Joshua 2, and 6:22-23), the spies told her to place a scarlet rope in her window seal for deliverance and in rememberance and covenent with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That way, her and her household would be saved even when Jericho was destroyed! This be in “rememberance of Me”–God. I hope that helps a little. I am not sure about the wood spoon, maybe significant with the tree they used in Calvary, It was a dishonor and a sinful nature to be hung on a tree. Tree/wood/ you see some comparison and a connection here? I don’t know, I may be completely off course here, but that is what I got from it. God Bless…
Dee

======= Steve:

Leviticus 14:1-57
What stood out for me in the readings today was Leviticus 14:14-17 the priest taking some of the blood from the guilt offering and applying it to the person’s right ear lobe, right thumb and the right big toe. As I imagined putting the blood on my right ear lobe, then my right thumb and my right big toe I wondered what does this mean. After putting the blood on the ear, thumb and toe, the priest then applies oil over the blood on the ear, thumb and toe.
This raised my curiosity sending me on a quest through commentaries and searches until I found this “If one considers the ear a symbol of hearing, the thumb a symbol of working, and the toe a symbol of walking, one can regard this action as indicating that priests (and later cured “lepers”) are now commissioned and established to listen to God, to work for God, and to walk with God.” The blood is ceremonial for cleansing and the oil ceremonial for anointing the person.
Thank God we no longer have to apply the blood over and over again. Jesus has fulfilled all of these ceremonies and rituals concerning sacrifice and blood once and for all. Daily we come to the source; Jesus Christ who has cleansed us from all unrighteousness and has blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
Steve

======= Jennifer:

I was wonder about psalm 40 and its foreshadowing of Jesus.
This sounds like Christ,
Another question, Did Mark not write about Peter walking on the water because he was not in the boat?
Jennifer

======= Deb:

Thank you all for the thoughtful comments. I really appreciate the added wisdom.
Deb

======= Bob:

There is valuable in listening to Ray Stedman’s commentary (1972)above in “Sick Garments and Dieseased Houses” He tackles the translations so they deal with our own spiritual and physical lives. For instance, the difference of Healing which is a sovereign act of God to Cleansing which is an understanding and change of the behavior. I enjoyed the symbols such as the 2 birds which point to the actions of what Jesus did for us. (Atonement). If you don’t have time now, I suggest to save it for another time.
Bob

======= Russ:

I have found myself trying to immediately give God praise and grattitude after every small and large daily victory. It helps to remind be that everything is his.
Russ

======= Jill:

Psalms 40:10 stood out to me today ” I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.”.
Do we tell of Gods wonder in our life? How he answers prayers and does small miracles in our life? Do we share our stories of how God has transformed us? I heard someone say we have 2 stories to tell. One is a scar story and one is a wound story . The “wound” story is where you have been hurt by someone and it never heals over. It’s always an open wound. You hang on to the pain. The other story is a “scar” story. You have been hurt but you allowed God to heal your pain and slowly it formed a scar . You tell others how God changed you and brought healing to your life! What story do you want to share?
Im exhausted reading all the cleansing rituals done back in OT! I m glad we can take our burdens right to Jesus! Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR). When sick as s child my mother comforted me. Now I go to my Heavenly Father.
Regarding prayer life, pray without ceasing! And tell of Gods great wonders! A bible teacher said ” you wanna know how much one loves their Saviour? Listen to their conversation . If it’s me, mine and I , then they are not sharing their faith!” Watch your words! Glorify God in conversation. Be intentional in sharing how God is working in you
Jill

======= Carol:

I’ve found myself in miry clay so many times and how wonderful it is when He lifts me out of it to firm ground again.
I love the thought of my mouth being a fountain of life and want it to be so, sort of like the thought of being fruitful. I want to pursue it and achieve it….. with God’s power and for His Glory!
I want to pray along with David today, that I desire to do God’s will and that His law is within my heart!
Carol

======= Robert:

Proverbs 10:11
How words can affect people around you. This happened a few years ago when a good friend was having troubles with his two teen sons. As he confided in me, the words I had for him came from my own experience with my sons. After talking with him that night, he honored me with expressing how my knowledge had given him great insight and he called me a sage! I felt my words were a “fountain of life” for him.
Mark 6:46
After leaving the crowd and his disciples, he went up on a mountainside to pray. Why? He doesn’t have to. It really is more of an example to us of what it is to commune with God. It will satisfy every need. I like Deedee’s comment. I don’t know if Jesus needed to do it but it is a perfect answer to what his human side needed and what we need as well. “The power of rejuvenation”.
Robert

======= Mitch:

OT – Have seen houses after hurricanes that had to be torn down because of mold. A new house was constructed. This is a picture of our salvation. Our old body was discarded (because of sin), and we became a new creation in Jesus. Mold (sin) does spread.
NT – Mark 6:52 – struggled with the idea of disciples’ hearts being hardened or dull to understanding. Then realized – they had been on the go for awhile, had seen and done much, a kind of sensory overload. Think they (and I know I do) needed to have time to reflect and take it all in and absorb all the truth and miracles they were exposed to with Jesus.
Mitch

Leviticus 13:1-59 + Mark 6:1-29 + Psalm 39:1-13 + Proverbs 10:10
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
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Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 13 we read about contagious skin diseases and mildew.  Quite a chapter! It does make sense to me that this level of detail is given by God on these topics.  These instructions were health instructions for the community of Israel as a whole.  The NIV Study Bible notes that “the ceremonially unclean were excluded from the camp (the area around the tabernacle and courtyard), where the Israelites lived in tents.  Later, no unclean persons were allowed in the temple area, where they could mingle with others.”  I look at this from the standpoint that they did not have medicines back then to heal people of these contagious diseases – and as such, the only way to keep the diseases from spreading to the entire population was to isolate the sick.  I know this doesn’t sound compassionate on the surface… but was there a better option at that time?  In the New Testament we read about Jesus curing people of leprosy, which was a couple of thousand of years later.  It’s obvious that skin diseases were a major issue in Moses’ day and through Jesus’ day – as was mildew during Israel’s rainy season of October through March – particularly along the coast and by the Sea of Galilee where it is very humid.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Leviticus chapter 13 begins at this link and you’ll see a few “Next Commentary” links at the bottom of each page to take you through the chapter.

On a side note, leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is still in existence in our world today, though at much lower incidence rates than ever before.  It is a sad disease to learn about…  I did a google image search on the word leprosy and was pretty shocked by the pictures.  The World Health Organization’s website says this – “Today, diagnosis and treatment of leprosy is easy. Essential work is being carried out to integrate leprosy services into existing, general health services. This is especially important for communities at risk for leprosy, which are often the poorest of the poor and under-served. Full control of leprosy has eluded mainly in some parts of Angola, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, and United Republic of Tanzania.”  More info on leprosy in our world today is at the World Health Organization’s website at this link.

All of a sudden now these 3 verses about Jesus and leprosy in Matthew chapter 8 verses 1 through 3 really stand out to me… – “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.”

New Testament – Today we read in Mark Chapter 6 verse 4– “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” This verse reminds me that sometimes when we really move forward in our faith, our friends (“hometown” from the verse above) and our relatives can sometimes not understand what is going on with us. I think there are phases of our walk with God where really it becomes very personal – between us and God – and through that process God will transform us. And our friends and relatives sometimes may not appreciate our change for various reasons – just as Jesus’ friends and relatives did not appreciate his ministry in this verse. I hope that this verse can be of comfort to you if by chance you are having challenges reconciling your faith and your changed heart with your friends & relatives expectations of who you were in the past. Know that you are on the right path. As long as you are staying focused on God and his will for your life, you may have to accept some loss of “honor” (per the verse above) in your status with your friends and relatives. You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And that’s where it really counts. Where are you seeking “honor” in your life today? In the eyes of your friends and relatives – or in God’s eyes?

An image for verses 18 & 19: “John kept telling Herod, “It is illegal for you to marry your brother’s wife.” Herodias was enraged and wanted John killed in revenge, but without Herod’s approval she was powerless.” –

Psalms – Today we read in Psalm 39 verse 5 – “My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.” This verse is a powerful verse for each of us to meditate upon.

I love verse 7 of this Psalm – “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”  Is this true of your life today?  Are you putting your hope anywhere else? 

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 10 today teaches us – “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.”  This is a great reminder that in the long run it is so much better – more peaceful – to stand up to an injustice or wrong.  We should not let things slide.  I think this can apply to our own lives as well.  If we know we ourselves are doing something wrong, we should not just “wink” at our wrong.  But we must reproof it and confess it and let Jesus heal it.

Worship Video: Based on our Leviticus on clean and un-clean, and how Jesus is our only hope and salvation for eternal cleanliness, I’m reminded of Brandon Heath’s great song about being changed by Christ called “I’m not Who I Was”:

Are you who you were? Click here to be made clean!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that God will remind you daily of how brief your time on earth is. Pray that you would live each day fully for the Lord in light of the brevity of your life.

Comments from you & Questions of the Day:  Back to Psalm 39 verse 5 above – how does this verse speak to you? Do you feel like life moves fast sometimes? If so, how are you spending your time? Are you being intentional about how you invest your time? Are you being intentional about your work? Your friends? Your finances? Volunteering? Serving others? Loving others? Watching TV – or not watching TV? (Have I gone off on my “Kill Your Television” soap-box yet this year? 🙂 I’ll save it for a future post…)  Do you think life really is “but a breath”?   Are you spending your breath wisely? With your breath are you constantly loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
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======= Ramona:

Leviticus 13:1-59
The Hebrew word translated in the NLT text, “appears,” appears ten times in the thirteenth chapter,
4758
מראה
mar’eh
BDB Definition:
1) sight, appearance, vision
1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision
1b) what is seen
1c) a vision (supernatural)
1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Each of the ten times this word appears it has to do with discerning the truth about a “skin” disease or “sin.” Something can “appear” to be something but upon close examination, and not just over a short period of time, and with stated guidelines, the dis-ease is identified. Appearance and actuality are two separate things.
In this passage, the focus is something that “breaks out” on the skin, on the surface, looking like a “skin” disease and to insure that no one is tagged wrongly, close observation is needful. But there is another type of appearance, that of one that seems healthy and holy, but in actuality the disease, though not on the surface, has permeated the inside where the eyes of the priests cannot see.
Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. (John 7:24 AMP)
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27-28 KJV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Rob:

mike, i found todays section on leprosy quite challenging. part of my work is to help people with skin problems overcome associated psychological difficulties – in fact i have just finished a six week group. two of the big issues are how other people perceive them (scabby, dirty) and the social isolation they can impose on themselves / others impose on them. i must say i found matthew henry’s commentatary particularly unhelpful as it seems to reduce skin conditions to just something visited on people by God and then tries to bring Jesus into it by the back door when he was never hinted at in the pasasge – i am happier with your ideas about ‘better the exclusion of one than the illness of the whole nation’. the bible is after all inherently practical.
it strikes me that a better response from christians is to do what they can to help people with leprosy today (and other skin conditions too as it probably wasn’t just what we know today to be leprosy that moses was talking about) – i like the links to the WHO. People may also want to know about Lepra – the UK charity who coordinate some extremely valuable work:
http://www.lepra.org.uk/lepra.shtml
Rob

======= Ramona:

One of the things that we must be careful of is dismissing things as irrelevant or unnecessarily out of date and out of touch with “modern times,” everyone thinks, whatever the time period is, they are in modern and sophisticated times.
May I ask Rob to hold off on any judgment of what this “isolation” meant to the community of Israel and the people involved. “Leprosy” (as per King James) of the skin, clothe, walls of the house (to be read at a later date) represented “sin,” which not only causes someone to be isolated from the community, if known about, but isolates and isolated us from God. Remember God’s way is not our way nor are His thoughts the same as our thoughts. God provided in His covenant with His people, Israel, healing; and because we have not all taken hold of that healing doesn’t mean we are any worse off then any other believer.
What I’m afraid of is that we are in danger of shaping the Word to fit our perspective of life when we read something that either doesn’t make sense to us or doesn’t fit our vocation, job or chosen life style, molding and shaping the Word based on a personal perspective.
Father God I ask that the veil of misunderstanding be lifted from our spiritual eyes and ears so that we will see the way You look at life, that we will see life from Your point of view. In Jesus’ might and glorious name, Amen and Amen.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Micah Girl:

The whole managing skin disease aspect of the priestly duties made me think that as the pastors of God’s people they were responsible for so much more than just the spiritual. As we minister to people today (lay or clergy) we should be involved in healing of physical, spiritual, social, and emotional needs… This aspect of our calling as the priesthood of believers is not just on a spiritual dimension. God cares for whole people and whole nations. That is why he has provided such minute detail for us in Leviiticus. (I am, by the way, for the first time, learning to LOVE Leviticus:-)
Micah Girl

======= Betty:

Lots going on in today’s readings! First, I am not a doctor, but I have been in the healthcare profession for 27 years and considering the fact there was no medicine in those days except herbs (which I’m sure were not plentiful in the desert), the instructions God gives the Israelites is remarkably ahead of the times. Contagious skin diseases did spread rapidly, and the quarentine prevented wholesale infection, unfortunately, the Pharisees and other legalists added many of their own laws to these basic instructions-the basis behind all of Jesus’ rebukes to this group. Of course, we have our own Pharisees today doing exactly the same thing-but that is a discussion for another time. Two things jumped out at me today. The first is the story of the death of John the Baptist. I am doing a women’s study by Beth Moore called Believing God, and the lesson last week was talking about having faith even when we don’t understand what God is doing. She used John the Baptist in a way that really convicted me. To summarize, she asked us to try to imagine what John the Baptist was thinking as he was in jail. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah, and he knew he was the forerunner to Him, can you imagine what he must have thought-wondering why, if Jesus was the Messiah, he was still in prison. He probably had the same expectations that most of the Israelites held for the Messiah and so wondered why Jesus wasn’t saving him. This really convicted me because so many times I want God to reveal His purpose to me so that I might understand; and yet, here was a prophet who loved God and was diligent in his obedience whose great faith was even further tested by not understanding the meaning of the Kingdom of God. And I think God will reveal to me-a sinner, a rebel,the proverbial black sheep He has to keep bringing back to the fold? As Beth points out, the wonderful thing about this is that the second the sword hit the rock, God was telling John come sit with me and watch this play out. How wonderful and mysterious are the ways of the LORD.
The second thing that jumped out at me was David’s psalm today…especially verses 6&7. “6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. 7 And so, LORD, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Does this not sum up our current life experience, or what? Thank you, O Father God, that because of your precious Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can approach You and put all of our hope in You-and You will continue to perfect us until we meet face to face. Amen!
Betty

======= Mark:

I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on television, but I believe that the separation mentioned in Leviticus in our reading today has sound medical reasons, not social ones. It helps to remember that there is a difference between the Law that God gave Moses, and the legalism that the Pharisees of Jesus’ day practiced.
Ramona, I’d like to offer my observation that Moses in this passage is not talking about sin, he is writing down the distinctive hygiene and medical directives that God handed to his people Israel. These were way ahead of their time in other cultures and in marked contrast to the gentiles surrounding the Jews at that time. There may be some underlying principles beneath the verses in this passage, but I would hesitate to spiritualize the text and miss what God was actually saying.
Rob, I agree with your concern about people simplifying these diseases by declaring that they were a “punishment” from God on certain people. My God is a God who heals and who protects his people. That’s who I see in Leviticus, not a God who inflicts disease on his people and then castigates them, throwing them out of the fellowship of the congregation.
I read very specific medical descriptions of the sores, the skin and the hair surrounding it. I read the diagnosis and the treatment prescribed. I read almost as much about being pronounced “clean” as being pronounced “unclean”. This sounds like a program for health, not for condemnation.
Mark 6:12,13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. — This is the heart of God, this is the message of God’s kingdom, this is the mission of God’s church.
Mark 6:18-20 For John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herodias, smoldering with hate, wanted to kill him, but didn’t dare because Herod was in awe of John. Convinced that he was a holy man, he gave him special treatment. Whenever he listened to him he was miserable with guilt–and yet he couldn’t stay away. Something in John kept pulling him back. — That “something” in John is the same something that lives in all who name the name of Jesus. That something is the Holy Spirit who lives and works in us. Praise God!! What would I have on my own merit that could keep the attention of a king?
Psalm 39:4-11 Tell me, what’s going on, GOD?
How long do I have to live?
Give me the bad news!
You’ve kept me on pretty short rations;
my life is string too short to be saved.
Oh! we’re all puffs of air.
Oh! we’re all shadows in a campfire.
Oh! we’re just spit in the wind.
We make our pile, and then we leave it.
What am I doing in the meantime, Lord?
Hoping, that’s what I’m doing–hoping
You’ll save me from a rebel life,
save me from the contempt of dunces.
I’ll say no more, I’ll shut my mouth,
since you, Lord, are behind all this.
But I can’t take it much longer.
When you put us through the fire
to purge us from our sin,
our dearest idols go up in smoke.
Are we also nothing but smoke?
Amen Mike! God is on the throne. He has lifted me from the pit of a “rebel life”, but because he did it – not me, I shut my mouth before him except to thank him and bring my offering of praise and worship.
Bless you Yahweh!
Mark

======= Mick:

I was moved by the verses in today’s Psalms regarding the brevity of life. This is mentioned in other books in our Bibles as well, it just touched me today. Am I using my brief time here well? I shall close for now and pray about that.
In Christ,
Mick

======= Anka:

Still meditating on lev 12:I wonder if women and men truly are equal before God.Women are separated monthly from God’s presence during their period,called unclean and shut out for a longer period after child birth esp if the baby’s female.Now if we trace the part Eve played in the fall of man we see Adam was told before Eve appeared not to eat of the forbidden fruit and was with her when the serpent spoke.The curse of tilling the ground…women also till the ground but men don’t ever give birth..The curse seems harder on women…Wonder why.Today’s reading on Leventicus really out of my league,there are infectious skin diseases that don’t fit the description of the unclean sores…and Lev 13:12 “If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean…just doesn’t make sense to me…the whole body’s diseased and he’s clean?Does any one have any insight on why this is so?
Mark 6:13..annointing with oil.I often wondered about annointing oil,there are people who feel any prayers for the sick should be accompanied by annointing with oil.Jesus from what I searched didn’t use oil,he didn’t even say the disciples should (or shouldn’t),it just says they did it.Some people told me the Holy Spirit works through the oil but I found no scripture backing that up
{Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15}it says the prayer(not the oil)offered in faith..so what’s the point of the oil…Jesus didn’t use it,other miracles by the disciples were done without the oil..
“I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.”Hmmm,my mouth seems to behave better when I’m with believers cos most times we’re talking about the things of the Lord…at other times,I find my self struggling not to join in criticising,gossiping along with unbelievers..for example,it’s so easy to say how corrupt the authorities are,the boss etc when that’s all you hear in the office all day(and I really need a muzzle then)compared to when I meet with my prayer partners and instead of using words that certainly don’t have any good report in them,we pray about the authorities…I have to admit though it’s so much easier for me to criticise…the verse really reminded me to zip:)
God bless you all
Anka

======= Micah Girl:

Hi, Anka
It’s important to keep any issue in a larger biblical contexts. In the bible, men and women are both equal in God’s sight and have been since the beginning. Together, man & woman, reflect the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27),and God makes no distinction and shows no preference between male and female in Christ (Galatians 3:26-28), the priesthood of believers includes both genders(1 Peter 2:5,9), and both women and men have access to God through our high priest, Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).
That said, I do wonder at the whys and hows of the Levitical regulations. But then I remember that Jesus Himself ministered to unclean women, such as the one we read about yesterday who had been bleeding and considered unclean for years.
Also, the pain of childbirth is physically harder on the woman, and yet she also has the privilege of birthing the baby, which to me, as a mom, seems fair. Also, Jesus Himself entered the world through a woman’s womb. Pretty cool.
Micah Girl

======= Anka:

Hi Micah Girl, maybe I’ll get a different perspective on child birth after I’ve gone through it:)but I’ve watched a lot of mothers go through the process and it truly is labour:)We all have an equal chance to God through Jesus…but in view of our own share of the curse,alot of forced breaks from God’s presence cos of the very things that mark our feminity and also,in 1cor 14:34 it says we are to remain silent in church as well!
I recently saw a video with Nick Vujicic,a young man born without limbs to a couple who’ve been christians all their lives.He has a site-lifewithoutlimbs.org,he talked alot about how uses everything for our good and honestly,(coming from a guy without limbs who realises he’ll never be able to hold his wife’s hand or embrace his kids who’s 21years old and dreams of life the way anyone his age would)hearing him say that really struck a cord.He said God gave him the strength to go on each day and he’s actually a motivational speaker now.
Anka

======= John:

Anka,
A pastor had a great answer to the issue of women’s curse in Genesis three in one of his college session Q&A’s. A women had started reading the Bible, got to Genesis 3, and quit. She wanted no part of a Gode “like that”.
First off – pastor said what other options are there?
Atheism – Gives no value to the life. It just is, and then it is over.
Other religions (non-Christian or non-judaic) – upon examination – all are very harsh, denigrating toward women, or at best non-commital towards women.
Go back to Bible, pastor said, and keep reading, and notice not only what “Micah Girl” mentioned, but how God used women of the Bible greatly. Pharoah’s daughter, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Esther, Rahab, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Martha and Mary, wealthy wives of rulers who may have financed Jesus’ ministry, and others I am sure I forgot. Woman play an integral part in God’s Plan. Women in no ohter belief system have integral parts in the scope of life and hereafter like these women had in the Bible.
A man is to love his wife as Christ loves his Church (the Body). What higher command can there be for a man as a way to perceive his mate?
They are equals, but there is an order to things. Being silent in church, at that time because of the way seating was arranged, did not mean they did not express opinions.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lifts up the role of a woman more than any other belief system.
That is pastor’s answer and I am paraphrasing. It got a standing ovation, and I left out some details – as it was 9 minutes long. I have found nothing in my readings that contradict his answer.
======================================================
I am not sure of the “monthly period” as I don’t think we have gotten to that yet. But the 40 or 80 days separation, back in those days was focused mainly on not going to the sanctuary. It was not banishment from camp like leprosy. Maybe the depression (post-partem???) needed to be gotten over , or the attitude for worship may not have been the best. [I am just speculating here so forgive me.] I guess we just have to trust God that He had his reasons.
Leviticus 13 is not about cures for disease, but about recognition and measures to keep it from spreading in the camp.
The White was not disease, the “raw flesh” around white indicated the disease.
On a spiritual note, in O.T. and New, the diseases represent “sin”. there is great patience in determining if person is unclean. Just like God has patience with sinners.
If it ends up being clean, it is like mankind reduced to “bottom” and comes to Christ. He is cleansed.
If not he is banished, and says “unclean”, just like mankind will be banished and separated from God if he does not repent.
The garments fine or cheap, must be taken care of because “sin” contaminates everything it touches. Our raiment is nothing but filthy rags in God’s sight. (paraphrased from Zech. 3) If garment is cleansed (by Christ) then it is “clean ( a righteous garment).
This is really rough and quick from reading commentaries by J. Vernon Mcgee and David Jeremiah. So if anyone wants to add, correct, or comment please do so. : )
I realize it is pretty sketchy.
John

======= Cory:

Anka,
A Jewish blogger, the Velveteen Rabbi (Rachel), shared some good thoughts on this portion of Torah (Lev. 12). 
Cory

======= John:

Cory,
It is fine to point out a different viewpoint, especiallly from a person whose religion is the source and reason we have the Old Testament.
However, people need to be aware of the traditional Jewish (religion) view of Genesis.
The Jewish religion, and Rachel can correct me if I am wrong, differs from most Christian perspectives, regarding the story of Adam and Eve.
They believe the story in Eden was given as an example of what not to do in life. That Adam and Eve screwed up, and don’t you do the same. They do not believe in the “fall of man”, “original sin”, “doctrine of deparavity”, or whatever your doctrinal name for Apple, serpent, Adam and Eve experiance in Eden.
“Judaism completely rejects the doctrine of original sin.”
http://www.jewfaq.org/cgi-bin/search.cgi?Keywords=SIN
“The yetzer tov is the moral conscience….The yetzer ra is usually conceived as the selfish nature, the desire to satisfy personal needs (food, shelter, sex, etc.) without regard for the moral consequences of fulfilling those desires…. People have the ability to choose which impulse to follow: the yetzer tov or the yetzer ra. That is the heart of the Jewish understanding of free will. The Talmud notes that all people are descended from Adam, so no one can blame his own wickedness on his ancestry. On the contrary, we all have the ability to make our own choices, and we will all be held responsible for the choices we make.”
http://www.jewfaq.org/human.htm#Yetzer
This site jives with my study of Genesis from a “torah commentary”.
Bottom Line: This doctrinal difference makes a difference in viewing Leviticus which is clear if you read bible.org and compare the comments to Rachel’s blog entry.
I have no problem with the reference, but I believe this should be made clear for those not familiar with Judaism’s view of the Garden.
John

======= Cory:

John,
Fair point… but then we should probably also go so far as to say that not all Christians hold to the doctrine known as “original sin.”
Cory

======= Stef:

yes : ) the older i get the faster life seems to go..as a child days were warm and endless you could spend an entire afternon sitting in the sun stroking the cat but now one seems to scarcely catch your breath and youre on to the next thing….my aim for this year is to learn to discern Gods real purpose for my life, to learn how to say no when asked to do something that might appear to be a good thing but id really just be cluttering and filling my life with deeds that might be taking the time i should be using for something else God wants me to do as a priority…im finding this really hard as it feels wrong to say no to someone.
Stef

======= Luch:

What does Psalm 39:4 mean to me? A LOT. “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.” Just yesterday I accompanied my wife to her third of 8 chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Walking through the chemo waiting room I was overwhelmed by the number of women 10 to 20 years younger than my wife who were wearing little caps or ‘coverings’ over their heads, as my wife does due to the radical loss of hair. This experience everytime we go for treatments reminds my wife and I to keep investing ourselves in the values and relationships that will go beyond our brief lifetime. Psalm 39:5 says, “Human existence is but a breath.” I was so overwhelmed I left the building and walked around the hospital praying and was reminded again of James 4:14 “How do youi know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
I’m sure there are other OYB readers who have experienced something similar to us,or are presently experiencing, and you could affirm how horrible life without God and His perspective could be!!!
Luch

======= Beryl:

to Luch and wife,
u are where God wants u 2 b. U can live life 2 the max doing something 4 those other patients. May the Lord grant u healing.
I have breast cancer right now, I am going 4 an op. Praying about what tracts 2 take, knowing there will be people there that don’t know yet that God loves them or what to do about it if they do know. I have a good chance against cancer but death is inevitable, todays psalm is right on track. The death of Gods children is precious in His sight. He also sends healing. God is in control. Praise Him 4 being merciful. god bless u
Beryl

====== Stacey:

Mike’s questions remind me of Psalm 90 “teach us to number our days aright” and Lamentations 3:21-25 about how God’s compassion and mercy on us is new every day. Enjoy it! No matter what happened yesterday, today is a day of full and complete grace and hope.
With regards to the dietary and health laws, keep in mind that these people lived a simpler life. There were far less people than there are now and thousands of years have passed. There are so many more germs and variants now. Many of the diseases that we encounter are do to the effects of pollution. Many are even self inflicted that have to do with us polluting our own bodies through sinful practices. But God has not left us just with the treatments of thousands of years ago. He has given skilled craftsman in the health industry. He has given so many cures and treatments and laid on the hearts of so many of His own people answers to some of the worst of diseases.
Yet we all know that death is 100%. We are only made completely whole in the next life. He does have an exact day where He will take us home to heaven. Until that day, we are to live each day here on earth to the max. My heart does go out to Luch and his wife as their days are filled with treatments. Days like these do not seem to be living life to the max. However, these are truly the kinds of days that do teach us how precious is the gift of life… how precious our Lord and Savior… and how much we need and depend on Him. May God bless you, and your dear wife, and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. And from Heb 13:20: May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Stacey

======= Luch:

stacey and beryl
thanks so much for your kind and caring words. Women have come ‘out of the wood work’ so to speak just to encourage and identify with us. I think for us 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 are appropriate and applicable. “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts ohers. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Selah!!
Have a good night!!!
Luch

======= Nicole:

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. Psalm 39:6
Isn’t it interesting to see that even back then people get busy with things that are not important? That sure was a verse that spoke to me today! And that is something I need to work on. : )
As for Jesus not being accepted in Nazareth, this has happened to me. I had some great friends before I became a Christian. They just didn’t believe in the importance of Jesus, our Savior. Now that I am very involved with church and became a believer, they have stepped back from me. They say that respect what I believe and are open to listen to it, but do not respond. But on the bright side, I have made new friends. So God never leaves us alone.
Luch and Beryl, you are in my prayers. Your strength is amazing and know that God never gives you more than you can handle. : )
Nicole

======= Doug:

Brother, let me just say ewwwwwwwww! I tried to eat breakfast with this morning’s readings. Try reading about spreading puss-filled infections with white hairs and then looking down at some milky cheerios!
On a serious note, I really feel like the heart of the Psalm calls me to get off my seat and into action. Most of us are created to do one really extraordinary thing through our life. Not just do it once, but to do it as God designed us, for our entire hand’s breadth.
In my own life, I’ve seen what that one thing is, and I’m pursuing it. And I have seen the honor that prophets do not have at home. I don’t think it has to do with becoming less fun. I think it has everything to do with the authority that we have in the Gospel. It says the people Jesus was teaching took offense at him. We all run into that, especially the people who try to share the Gospel with unsaved parents. Try and figure that chain of command out, a child who has an authority, not posessed by the parents, who have a commanded authority over their righteous children.
And don’t worry… if you’re worried about making your calendar too busy and you want to say “no” but find that difficult, try this. You will never feel like a jerk if you just remember, when you are saying “no” to extra business, you are saying “yes” to more time with your God and more time with your commitments already in place, to do one thing really well, just as you were designed.
Doug

====== Jenny:

um…Levit is kinda gross today with hairs and boils. yeck. sorry, these verses made me laugh: “If a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean. And if he loses hair on his forehead, he simply has a bald forehead; he is still clean.”
In Mark, reading about ppl rejecting Jesus made me sad. Its still going on today. some ppl say, well if God performed a miracle, i would believe. well, they didnt believe it back wen they had Jesus’ miracles before their eyes. this verse made me sad: “And he was amazed at their unbelief.”
Herodias made me so mad! grrr. how evil!
i love psalm 39. I’m tyring to live all for Him, put Him first in all areas…and He is my onlyyyy hope!! i am nothing without Him…i’m so helpless! i need His touch every second of every minute.
concerning the brevity of life, it actually seems rather long to me. everyone says, life is short, which in comparision to eternity it is. but my life has been soooo long! am i the only one that feels like this? i feel like i have lived enough…like its time to retire and get ready to go ‘home’. unfortunetly its been a long life of heartache, but if it brought me to the Lord, i am beyond grateful for the pain! I feel young and hopeful on one side, on the other i think, man…how much longer i got? 45 more yrs? yikes.
LOL! gotta love v 10 “But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand.”
Prov is funny too, “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.” haha, i never trust ppl who winnk, i dont know what it is…seems shady.
(forgive me, i’ve been stuck at home studying for a state exam for days, actually weeks, n i’m just a lil burnt out on life… emotionally drained, hence my negativity and insane outbursts of laughter while reading the Bible…i think its cause i’m so happy to read the bible rather then to read Becker CPA review, lol.)
Jenny

======= Mae:

Oh Jenny Jenny Jenny … you’re on fire for the past days, girl!!!! “everyone says, life is short, which in comparision to eternity it is. but my life has been soooo long! am i the only one that feels like this? i feel like i have lived enough…like its time to retire and get ready to go ‘home’”. I recognize this when I have my days of being burned out, drained, negativity, struggles … then I feel like “Well, you know what, Jesus? Today would be a good day … please get me out of here!”. But that’s only when I’m emotionally exhausted, because for me personally it feels like my life here on earth, is going FASSSSSSSSSSSST! When I look at my little boy, who’s 4 years old now, I wonder if I haven’t been fooled for the past 4 years and somebody made a year 200 days. It’s not that life feels short or anything, because I’m enjoying EVERY minute with Jaden and Rene. Want to hear something typical? When I’m at work, 4 hours feel like 10 hours, but when I’m at the playground going crazy on the swings with my boys 1 hour seems like only 10 minutes! How about that, eh? I do not hate my job, not at all, I have a wonderful job. But, yes, I rather spend my time being with my boys. So … where was I going with my story? I don’t know …. I was thinking, Jen, you go ahead and vent here about being burned out on life … this is the right place. I love you, you know that and I’m happy you share this here. That way you give me exact directions on how to pray for you. Things will be fine …
So while I’m here …
The most important verse in todays readings is for me Mark 6:4 “Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” I think I’ve told you before that I’m slowly losing my old ‘friends’ .. or I don’t know what they have been LOL They think I join a ‘weird community’ … oh well, than so be it. I don’t care anymore. If they can’t respect me for who I am, then fine. I pray for them and hope they will find Jesus some day. I still forward emails to them, cause we didn’t officially ‘divorce’, but we aren’t really talking anymore. So I still forward emails to them about Jesus Christ and about Christianity. I refuse to change myself into a quiet Christian, because I’m a proud Christian and I want to preach the Gospel! I want to share with everybody why there’s a big smile on my face 24/7!!!!!!! I want to shout it out that the Lord Jesus Christ saved me! I’m happy! I’m free and they can be to, if they wouldn’t shut me out! You know … I heard that someone said “Mae’s fake happiness makes me physicly ill”. Ha ha ha ha!!! Well, actually I shouldn’t laugh, I should cry for this person, I mean, how bitter and sad is this persons heart when you get sick over someone that is happy? This is pure jealousy, I know they want what have! But sadly they think they can’t have it, but it’s so close! Eternity is so close, they don’t even realize it! So okay, they hate me, they refuse to listen to my words, which are actually God’s words. But hey … I’m fake, so what do I know? So now I’m also wondering what’s going to happen at work, slowly people getting to know that I’m a Christian ( and a proud one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), one woman decided not to speak with me anymore. She has a second job which is reading tarot-cards, for herself and for others. Not to long ago I was talking to one of my clients over the phone, this client was totally unreasonable, but I didn’t want to end the conversation with a fight, so I apologized for everything. Which wasn’t my fault in the first place, but I chosed to keeping my client and put my ‘pride’ aside. So my co-worker (the tarot-reader) said “If it were me talking to Mr Janssen, I’d tell him to take the d*mn contracts and shuff them up in his *ss”. So I told her “Oh no, I’m not going to say that. I don’t talk to people like that, I’m a Christian”. Her answer was “Well, I’m a Christian too. But no one talks to me like that!”. So I looked her in the eyes and said “Interesting … a Christian who reads tarot-cards”. She turned away from me and didn’t talk to me ever since. I didn’t want to offend her in any way, I just wanted to know who she trusted more: the cards or the Lord. But I never got a chance to ask her that. Before I’d go into some weird discussion with Mr Janssen, I’d make sure he’d had to shuff the contracts some place … but I don’t feel the need now. I want people to feel good about themselves, and yes … me apologizing to Mr Janssen made him think that he was right about the whole thing. That’s okay, If I made his day I’m happy for him. “You may not seem to be as “cool” or “fun” as you once were in your friends’ eyes. But – if in God’s eyes you are loving Him with all of your heart and you are loving your neighbors as yourself, then you are eternally cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven”. I choose to be cool and fun in the Kingdom of Heaven any time!!! But hey … you think I’m cool and fun, don’t you???? LOL!!!!!
Mae

======= Elizabeth:

Hello All,
Just catching up from Friday–we’ve all been sick with strep here! Our kids just fly through it, but it’s harder as an adult….
I enjoyed this comment on yesterday’s reading about why women were “unclean” after childbirth:
“It may seem strange that uncleanness is connected with the birth of a baby, since marriage was instituted before sin entered the world, since the Scriptures teach that marriage is holy, and since God commanded men to reproduce. The uncleanness is probably a reminder that, with the exception of our Lord, we are all brought forth in iniquity and conceived in sin (Psa_51:5). The extended time of uncleanness in the case of a baby girl was perhaps an intended reminder that man was created before woman, that the woman was created for the man, that the woman is given a place of positional submission (not intrinsic inferiority) to the man, and that the woman was the first to sin.
Williams sees in this legislation the tender care of God in protecting the mother from visitors during a time when her weakness and the danger of infection were greatest.”
-Believer’s Bible Commentary
Elizabeth

======== Sean:

“Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.”
I am in no sense a prophet but very recently have let God back into my life,I mention this once to a group of friends and was teased,I mentioned it once to my wife and she was dismissive.
I now keep things to myself,not because I was hurt,I believe in God and prayer,nothing now will ever change that and everyday my belief grows stronger,no I am ashamed to say I was a little embarassed and do not want to be drawn into a “there is no such thing as God” argument,my belief does not include a deep knowledge of bible scriptures,history etc.
At this time my faith is very much a personal and discrete relationship with God.
Sean

======= Jessica:

Sean,
Many of us have felt unsure of ourselves when beginning a relationship with the Lord. That is a tool of the enemy to make you feel unworthy. Just know that you do not have to know all of the answers, you only have to believe. Find yourself a place to learn, a small group bible study, or a church, either one that teaches the Word of God. And keep reading on this blog, there is much wisdom shared here. He promises in His Word to teach you all things if you ask, and He will also help you remember the scriptures. His Word is so powerful because He is the Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NIV
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 NLT
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26 Amplified
May God continue to guide you and bless you, Jessica
Jessica

======= Steve:

Leviticus 13:1-59
This chapter discusses skin disease and the protocol the priest was to follow concerning it. If someone was diagnosed with an infectious skin disease, they were put outside the camp until it was healed and no longer infectious. For some reason this triggered thoughts of the way sin also puts us outside the camp, isolated from the body of Christ. Leprosy was a dreaded and feared disease in the time of Leviticus; the symptoms of leprosy and sin have similar properties. Sin isolates us; it spreads throughout the whole body and causes a deadening of sensitivity which disables our warning light.
Another scripture that stood out was Psalm 39:5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
Life is oh so short. When I was a teenager I never really thought about how short life is but now that I am older this has really sunk in. My third grade summer vacation seemed to last an eternity, probably because I was having such a great time living every moment to the fullest. Everyone’s life is but a mere breath. We should meditate on this startling reality instead of deadening it with distractions. Life is a vapor trail. The best way to slow life down is enter into the presence of the Lord walking with God.
As I study God’s word and my priorities shift, my perspective on how short life is changes. I don’t worry about the shortness of life anymore and yet I feel an increased urgency to focus on what’s really important, my relationship with God and the way I relate with people. The closer I move towards Him, the clearer this all becomes.
Steve

======= Duane:

I remember the early days of my salvation,when I first came to know the Lord. Oh, the joy that was in my soul. I would tell everyone who would listen about how great our God was. One day while delivering the mail, a patron stop me and converse me in conversation. I began sharing about Pat Roberson and The 700 Club. She respnded by saying,”Oh we do not own a Television.” Wow, I thought, this woman is really radical.Years have now past and I look back on that event and realized she had more wisdom and a closer walk with God than me. I’m just beginning to see how addicting T.V. can be. It robs us of so much more time we could be spending with our Lord.
Duane

======= Bob:

I think Ramona is on to something here. How often do we judge on the appearance of an issue? How do we go about investigating for the truth? Here we see that there seems to be some examination, isolation, healing time, depth of the infection, and procedures for contamination. Do we take the time to determine someone elses “disease” and care for their outcome? This sort of gives me a new perspective on judging people too quickly. The hermenutics of this is worth studying some more.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Biblical-hermeneutics.html
Bob

======= Jill:

So many rules and regulations in Leviticus! It’s a wonder the people and leaders can remember them. All I know is I wouldn’t Today we have free choice with the new covenant. Oh how free it is! Other than the Ten Commandments which people struggle with following to this day! Without the Holy Spirit living in us there is no conscience or conviction. There is no compassion or remorse for our sin and wrongdoing. I really believe we need to bring everything back to that. Teach our children when they are young. Oh God have mercy on us all! But thank God for his redeeming Grace for each time we do mess up. Only one day we will be completely clean and that’s when we see Jesus face to face.
Jill

======== Joyce:

Mike and everyone,
I treasure the reminder in Psalm 39:5 today –
“My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”
May God give us wisdom to see what are the truly important priorities in life,
and to live our lives each day according to our priorities.
“And now, Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in You. (Psalm 39:7 NASB)
May we set our hope in God each day!
God bless!
Joyce

======= Robert:

Leviticus
In my study bible it asks the question. “Suppose sin were visible – small green spots that break out on the skin. Do you think it would help people to take sin more seriously?” Its one of those questions that brings up all sorts of other matters. It can take all sorts of paths. We would probably get really good at hiding them. We would love the fact we could judge people very easily. I’d definitely be jealous of those that had no green spots. Would we have to go see a priest to get rid of them? We could give trophies to those that had the fewest the longest period of time. Social media would thrive on this, of course. I wonder if there would be people that would be totally green?
Mark 6: 6-13
When Jesus sends out the 12, I am so impressed by the simple instructions that make me realize when we are working for God, He will provide, encourage, guide and enliven. (Try that on your next mission trip!)
Psalm 39
An important read when we are suffering and there are no answers, no happy ending, and we are in a dark place. Mike asks, “Do you think life really is “but a breath”? “. I really think we can feel this and it shows us our insignificant part of life. How to deal with it is another question but I do believe we need to involve Jesus. Prayer, trust, time, the Word are just a few of the factors but the reality is someone put our feelings down on paper so we are not the only ones to experience this.
Robert

======= Mitch:

OT – Isolation is prescribed when someone is sick to keep others from being infected. Quarantine is the practice of separating people who have been exposed or have an initial symptom to see if they get full blown sick.
Isolation was practiced in ancient times including here in Leviticus. Quarantining (after research) other than in Leviticus became an accepted practice in the 1300’s (some 2,500+ years after being noted in Leviticus). Medicine could have benefitted by paying more attention to the Bible!
So quarantining and treatment of mold/mildew seemed to be God’s way of keeping His people from being wiped out (from plague, pandemic or bad living conditions) in the early stages of their growth as His people. God’s instructions are always for our benefit so we can flourish. Here the instructions are from God to His people so they could remain healthy going into the promised land.
NT – reminded of saying “familiarity breeds contempt”. Just because Nazarenes were around Jesus doesn’t mean they “got” Jesus. Today you can be around Church and believing Christians but that does not make you a believer.
Mitch

======= Dee:

Good morning!
Life does move so quick, Mike , yes looking at this verse, we are but a vapor..here today, gone tomorrow,
How am I spending my time? Well l, love the Word and learning all over again this year..the Word constantly is new and exciting. I rest on Saturdays..alot! Go 90 miles an hour through the week. I go to church. Love hearing the Word and help in children’s church.
Leviticus, learning to love the laws and see more wisdom in them daily.
Mark was interesting, teaches us..family doesn’t always support your beliefs, go where God calls u, leave it to him for the provision, and learn to save your soul not gain the world.
We are but a vapor, a width of a hand , a grain of sand in the beaches of life..cherish each moment!
Be blessed!
There are areas I could learn and no, I’m not perfect..I enjoy TV time some too..but I pray I draw closer each day to God’s Word
Dee

Leviticus 11:1-12:8 + Mark 5:21-43 + Psalm 38:1-22 + Proverbs 10:8-9
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs ~

Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 11 we read about ceremonially clean and unclean animals for the Israelites.  The One Year Bible Companion commentary on this chapter today states that “there were several reasons for this restricted diet – 1. to ensure the health of the nation.  The forbidden foods were usually scavenging animals that fed on dead animals; thus disease could be transmitted through them.  2. to visibly distinguish Israel from other nations. The pig, for example, was a common sacrifice of pagan religions. 3. To avoid objectionable associations.  The creatures that move about on the ground, for example, were reminiscent of serpents, which often symbolized sin.”

Verses 20-22 mention of eating locusts reminded me of John the Baptist: “You are to consider detestable all swarming insects that walk along the ground. However, there are some exceptions that you may eat. These include insects that jump with their hind legs: locusts of all varieties, crickets, bald locusts, and grasshoppers. All these may be eaten.”  Commentary at bible.org on “The Clean & the Unclean” from Leviticus chapter 11 is at this link, and from chapter 12 is at this link.  And yes, in theory, this is a grasshopper in the image below.  It’s clean! 🙂

Today in chapter 11 verse 44 we read: “After all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy.” How does this verse speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy? Zondervan shares the following commentary on this verse – “Holiness is the key theme of Leviticus, ringing like a refrain in various forms throughout the book. The word “holy” appears more often in Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible. Israel was to be totally consecrated to God. Her holiness was to be expressed in every aspect of her life, to the extent that all of life had a certain ceremonial quality. Because of who God is and what he has done, his people must dedicate themselves fully to him.” Check out Peter quoting from this Leviticus verse in 1 Peter 1 verses 13-16 – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” How do these verses speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy?

New Testament – The structure of today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 are amazing!  The narrative starts with Jairus asking Jesus to heal his daughter who is about to die – but, then, in the middle of the narrative Jesus’ journey is stopped by a woman who simply wants to touch Jesus’ robe so that she will be healed from a 12-year suffering.  And verse 34 in this portion is just so beautiful as Jesus says to the now healed woman: “”Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.”” 

Then, the narrative cuts back to Jairus, but it sounds like it’s too late for Jesus to come to the house.  Messengers report that the little girl has died.   Jesus simply tells Jairus in verse 36 – “Just trust me.”  (which is something so powerful that I believe Jesus says to you and me today too – “Just trust me.”  Don’t worry about anything else in this passing life.  “Just trust me.”)  And then in verses 40 & 41 we read: “Then he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Get up, little girl!” 

Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org on today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 entitled “Where there is Death there is Hope” is at this link.

Psalms – Psalm 38 is powerful.  Verses 4 & 5 speak so much to our human condition – “My guilt overwhelms me–it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.”  Does this verse speak to you in any way, shape or form?   If so, please consider then verse 18 – “But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.” Will you confess your sins to God today?  Will you admit that you are truly sorry for your sins?  Will you pray for healing from your sins?  Will you make confession of your sins to God a regular practice?

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 8 is a good reminder to consider how much and how often and how meaningful our words are when we speak: “The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.”

Worship Video: Based on our Leviticus readings today about holiness, here’s an amazing live worship performance by Chris Tomlin of the song “Holy is the Lord.”  Enjoy!

Do you often cry “Holy?” Click here for Holiness!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:45 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray for holiness in your life.

Comments from you & Question of the Day: Related to this Proverb above, I read an article recently about how “small talk” is getting more prevalent in our world today.  And as a society we are speaking less often about sincere or meaningful matters.  Instead we prefer to talk a lot about the weather or sports or celebrities.  It does make me wonder – is some of this small talk just babbling?  I don’t know. I guess I just pray that when we speak we will speak sincerely in truth and love.  And not just talk to hear ourselves talk.  Do you think that some of our small talk is simply babbling?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )

======= Ramona:

Holiness
What does “holiness” mean to me. Well, I know that it is not about sacrificing animals and doing prescribed rituals because if that was the ONLY thing needed then God would not have rebuked Israel through the prophets because in Isaiah’s day there were a lot of offerings and pretense of holiness (Isaiah 1) nor would David have written,
“Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require,”(Psalm 40:6 Amp), nor would he have written in the 51st Psalm, “The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.”
So we know that rituals and sacrifices are not the way of holiness. Holiness is where the Presence of God is not the clothes we wear nor the places we go. If the presence of God is not in a church, sanctuary, etc., or if the Holy Spirit is now dwelling in a body, then the place or person is not holy. We become holy based on our submission to God who is totally Holy.

Leviticus 11:1-12:8
God begins to separate out His people from the societies and cultures surrounding them, as well as from those who they will eventually root out of the “Promise Land,” by giving them Laws that deal with day to day living, not just worship. The animals they may or may not eat are categorized as clean and unclean. Practices, dealing with dead animals that have died by means other than slaughter, clean and unclean, the emission of blood because of childbirth all require purification and sin and burn offerings after childbirth, with a designation between male and female children.
I believe God has required these practices to keep Israel separate and distinct from the societies around them, so they will be considered “Peculiar” people. I confess this is something I struggle with all the time, wanting to fit in yet knowing that I have been called to be different.
1 Peter 2:
8 And the Scriptures also say,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that will make them fall.”
They stumble because they do not listen to God’s word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation: His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you were not a people;
now you are the people of God. Once you received none of God’s mercy;
now you have received his mercy.”
Although we are not required to keep an alter going to offer up burn, sin, guilt, peace and fellowship offerings, we are required to keep an alter fire going in our hearts. We are required to be living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, burning up everything that is not of Him.
The Hebrews’ were told,
44 After all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves by touching any of these animals that scurry along the ground. 45 I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God. You must therefore be holy because I am holy. (Lev 11 NLT)

Mark 5:21-43
Having been rejected by the townspeople who owned the “pigs” (If these were good “Jews,” what are they doing having an enterprise that raised pigs”? Just a question) Jesus heads back across the lake. Notice Jesus doesn’t go or stay where He is not wanted except for appearing in Jerusalem at the times appointed by God, which would fulfill His purpose. Jesus is immediately met by a large crowd and a synagogue leader named Jairus once He lands. As Jesus moves to go with Jairus to his house, a woman, who is not suppose to be there (see today’s Old Testament Reading) because she is bleeding and has been bleeding for twelve years. Her being in that crowd would cause everyone who has touched her to be ceremonially unclean.
[Leviticus 15
25 And if a woman has an issue of blood for many days, not during the time of her separation, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her [regular] impurity, all the days of the issue of her uncleanness she shall be as in the days of her impurity; she shall be unclean.
26 Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be as the bed of her impurity, and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as in her impurity.
27 And whoever touches those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.]
We also see two people with immediate needs, death of a daughter and a sickness that has led to a woman’s poverty so she needs to be healed to become a viable member of the community again. While in the process of going to meet the needs of one, Jesus stops and questions the woman who has caused “power” to proceed from Him. In giving her story, I believe there were none too few people concerned that not only had she touched Jesus she had touched them, and what do you think the synagogue leader was thinking too himself? He may have been panicked. As they and the crowd proceed, the news comes that the daughter is dead; however, that doesn’t stop Jesus. Now we have a second situation were ceremonial uncleanness lives, in the dead girls house, yet Jesus doesn’t falter or waver. Kicking out the unbelievers (This is a point we may consider too take heed of when we are facing crises. Who are we hanging with and sharing our drama? We may need to kick some folks out), he brings her back to life.
I have heard it preached that the number twelve is the number for “God’s purpose,” that when we see twelve we should study closely what is going on. We have Jairus’ daughter, we have a woman who has been bleeding twelve years and we have Jesus, walking with His twelve disciples, three sets of twelve. Just a note to make us think: really, really think.

Psalm 38:1-22
Our bodies were not made to carry sin. Sin is weighty and brings sickness and death. Sin shut up in our bones may give the appearance of righteousness to the outside, but in the inside we are being slowly eaten away. I am thankful to David for laying out and opening his heart to future generations to show us clearly the destructiveness of sin. Our only recourse is to confess it.
I John 1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We need to make sure we complete the process of verse nine, hanging around to be cleansed from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 10:8-9
Here again we are taught that the wise, to desire godly wisdom, makes one glad to be instructed. In order to learn one must want to be taught. You cannot teach anything to someone who is rebellious and who despises teaching and teachers. Parents must give their children a love of learning by example so that it becomes fun and not a chore.
We are also told in ninth verse that people of integrity will be firm and steady in their walk.
Don’t worry about your reputation. Maintain your integrity and your reputation will take care of itself. (A.R. Bernard)
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Joseph:

Greetings in Jesus’ Name,
My comments today is actually more of a question. Leviticus 11 about unclean food. I have heard people say that the Old Testament rules represent the old covenant because when Jesus came he brought the New covenant. How does that affect the area of unclean foods that we are so used to and eat today. For instance [THE PIG] many of the foods we eat today comes from the pig.
In His Presence
Joseph

======= Stef:

hi Joseph, read Acts 10 from verse 9 on..the vision of Peter….where God shows Peter the animals and speaks to him on clean and unclean.
Stef

======= Micah Girl:

I think it is very interesting that as Stef noted Peter is the one who had the vision of clean and unclean animals, and also that Peter is the one who refers to those very verses from Leviticus that Mike mentioned about being holy as God is holy. Peter not only received the vision to let go of the ceremonial law regarding unclean animals, but he clearly understood the principle of holiness that stood behind it.
Micah Girl

======= Sammy:

Even though all foods today are considered “clean” to the believer, it should be noted that this doesn’t mean that all foods are good for you. The Bible’s teaching on diet are still very detailed as to what is healthy and what is not; and, should be a guide as what to avoid. I feel that this can be done without being fanatical to either extreme.
Sammy

======= Luch:

These verses in Leviticus are another reason to make sure we always let Jesus have the ‘last word’ on all these matters. I think the ‘big idea’ of Leviticus 11 is contained in verses 46-47 where it says “so you can distinguish between what is unclean and may not be eaten and what is clean and may be eaten.” Is the idea that if we want to live lives that are pleasing to God, the people had to exercise discernment between various options? The priests according to Ezekiel 44:23 were to teach people God’s will. “They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.”
Aren’t we glad that many of these dietary laws were temporary but the principle is permanent: Jesus’ followers today must have discernment and avoid what is unclean. Just check out Mark 7:14-23; Acts 10:9-18; 1 Tim 4:1-5 for examples of how the dietary laws were temporary. Thank God for that.
I believe the New Testament book of Hebrews which is the best commentary on Leviticus says, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between what right and wrong and then do what is right.” Heb 5:14 I like this passage because it gives us the freedom to be wise, and to be discerning, and not just accept what everyone else tells us is right or wrong from their perspective. In short, it gives us what Elizabeth Elliot calls ‘the liberty of obedience’ which means the ability to discern. Righteousness always comes from choosing not by having someone impose their view of what is ‘clean and unclean.’
Luch

======= Richard:

Mike. I think that your observation of our culture being one of “small talk” is interesting. Too often we are reduced to quick versions or snippets of conversations with those we come in contact with. Our culture is being “re-tooled” into this new way of thinking. Emails are short burst of though that lengthy letters once provided. (I think Paul would have been lost today!) Take a look at our news programs these days. All those crawlers drive me crazy. Have you heard a popular radio talk show lately? They are always in such a hurry to cut to commercial. “Bob from Ohio. In just 20 seconds….tell us what’s on your mind.” Next time you go to a movie notice how long each scene “take” is. You are doing well if you get 4 seconds. This “text messaging world” that we live in is having a profound affect on us. Is it any wonder that marriages fail and families gravitate away from eachother?
Richard

======= Lora:

I appreciate the verses in today’s psalm that desperately cry out for God’s help, b/c that’s where I am today. I’m not aware of some great sin or catastrophe, I simply need God’s presence, and I need it now, here, with me in as tangible way as possible. I relate to the psalmist in that way. His words, emotions, which he expressed make me feel like I am not alone in my desperate need for God to answer my call for help. If God does not choose to answer (but I know He is not indifferent to my call) then what? Then where would I be? God is my help, my hope, my source of “Trust me, it’s going to be OK,” as was commented today regarding the story of the 12-year-old girl who Jesus healed.
“21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”
Lora

======= Victoria:

SO DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULD NOT EAT PIG AND ANY OF THEY FOODS MENTIONED IN THIS CHAPTER?
Victoria

======= John:

Victoria,
Leviticus 11 marks a division in Leviticus from the priests and sacrifices to the people.
God is setting forth in great detail notions of what can be eaten and the cleansing of utensils, pots, etc. Before any idea of science and dietary medicine were discovered by man, God was taking care of his nomadic people who had yet to settle in their land. This may have been what was necessary for the survival and good growth (in numbers) of the Jewish people given the nomadic lifestyle.
It is interesting to note that during the great plague years in Europe, the Jews did not suffer many deaths. Cleanliness and dietary choice helped them in this area. People were so suspicious of their good health, that Jews were accused of being behind the plague and persecuted.
Besides my opinion that this part of the Law was specifically stated for the Jewish people (individual), just as the sacrifices were no longer necessary after Christ’s crucifixion – IMO this part of the Law although it could be used for guidelines today is not mandatory.
I think beryl is right in citing Paul who specifically addresses this in Romans 14:14,17-18,20
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men…..Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.”
So in answer to your question based on my reading of scripture – What you eat is up to you but if it causes friction or another to stumble, then keep that in mind when dining with others.
John

======= Beryl:

I see the reading about the unclean animals in Peters vision as a type of parable; it was a symbol of people, the gentiles, not actually animals. It was later, in Acts ch.15 and Romans ch.14, that the christians in Jerusalem decided it was ok to eat as long as it did not offend or undermine someones fragile faith. Another reminder that the 10 commandments are based on loving God and loving our neighbours
Beryl

======= Pat:

I think that when we read about the clean and unclean in Leviticus 11 and 12 today, we are also seeing the loving and protective hand of God from a different angle.
In Chapter 11, the main meat consumed by the Gentiles was pork, and that was their primary source of protein. God saw that the Israelites would have more than sufficient food to eat but would also see that the Gentiles in the region would have their food source protected by making it prohibitive for the Israelites to eat. Even though all people do not accept God as their Savior, God loves all people! God also protected the wildlife He created by providing prohibitions that would protect their food chain.
In Chapter 12 on the purification of women, I feel that God was protecting the woman in these verses. We need to remember that in those days women were considered property the same as livestock. They could be used whenever and however their husbands desired and worked daily as long and hard as the husband dictated. God is assuring each woman a period of rest each month that she would not have otherwise. After childbirth, God is again protecting the woman by giving her body time to heal.
I feel that when we look at the big picture given in today’s Scripture reading, we see it establishes a the pattern created by a loving God that provides for and protects all of God’s creations, and it gives us a greater understand of how God works for the benefit of all. This has given me a new appreciation for God’s restrictions!
God Bless,
Pat

======= Sarah:

What struck me from the readings in Mark was Jesus’s kindness, compassion and sensitivity
1- saying to a frightened, trembling woman “go in peace…your suffering is over”
2- when Jarius was told that his daughter was dead Jesus spoke reassuring and comforting words “do’t be afraid, just have faith”
3- Jesus would not allow the crowds or even the majority of his disciples into Jarius’s home. He could have invited the crowds in so that he could demonstrate his power to all by raising the girl from the dead, but I think that not doing showed sensitivity to suffering (and at this point grieving) parents who would not want to be a public spectacle
4- Jesus said “little girl, get up” and then immediately ensured she was cared for telling them to get her something to eat.
In both of these miracles Jesus could have made much more of a big deal , he could have taken the crowds into the home, or he could have immediately taken the girl outside to show what he had done. But Jesus was not interested in using these miracles to “show off” or demonstrate his power I believe they were bourne out of a real love and compassion for the people he helped. Not only is this a great example for us to follow but it’s also reassuring for us when Jesus says “Don’t be afraid, have faith” to us.
In response to what has been said about small talk, I have to say I couldn;t agree more. I don;t know if you have these reality TV programmes in the US like Big Brother or the fascination with reality TV shows with celebrities in them where Z-list celebs are stuck in a house or jungle together or taught to sing/ ice skate etc but the fascination the British public seems to have with them really angrs me. Children are dying all over the world, yet the newspaper headlines are invariably about these ridiculous programmes. Lunch breaks at work are spent on “did you see celebrity whatever last night” and when any of us try to change the subject to something of a little more substance we are only met with derision for being “boring” When I asked what a “WAG” was (aparrently its a Wife and Girlfriend of a footballer!!) the response was “Don;t you ever watch the news”- says it all really
That’s my moan over! ;o)
Sarah

======= Jenny:

man, all these rules in Lev. do my head in! but i’m thankful it ok to eat crickets and locusts, yum! :p. Women had to atone for their uncleanness for having a period? how unfair…as if we have control over it. thats it, I want paid leave from my work once a month on the grounds of being unclean! :}
I love the woman who was healed by just touching His garments. i think of that sometimes…if i could just touch Him! i like how out of all the people pushing and touching, He knew this woman touched Him and was healed, he felt power leave from Him.
i love how tho the dad may have lost faith Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” I think He says this to me/us many times. i can accept it or i can say, ‘oh, but God, you dont understand, i have to be afraid bcos of this n that’…’
some psalms stood out for me:
4″My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”
8 “I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart”.
17 “For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.”
21″O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”
i know that guilt. i hope we all do. we should feel guilt for our sins…how else can we repent? if we are not truely sorry bcos we have sinned? maybe we feel guilty bcos we were caught. I know there are lots of movements, churches that try to appease the ppl who dont want to feel guilty for their sin. “youre ok, God loves you just the way you are”. no, you’re not ok as you are. none of us are. we are sinners who need to know that we are seperated from God by our sins. We cant take this lightly! we are to come as we are (initially), but dont stay where we are! We need to ask for forgiveness regularly to. I dont want anything to come between me and the father! my sin will, my unconfessed sin. I must then TURN from my sin. You cant say, i’m sorry I’m living in fornication…then go back home to your boyfriend. you arent truly sorry unless u act. I dont know about others, but i’m not gonna mess with God.
I think we do a lot of babbling…lookee here, i’m proof! haha. with those you dont have a lot in common with, i think talks tend to be more shallow. are they more prevalent? idk. Like with ppl i cant talk to about things of God, they are rather shallow. even ppl i’ve know for years! but i definitely appreciate someone who isnt afraid to correct me, tell it like it is when i need it! i have very few friends who will correct me, who will lovingly rebuke me. i need those who will. not from matters they simply judge by their own standards, but from ppl who know the scoop n know, i am wrong. well, tell me!! if my head isnt screwed on straight, help me fix it please. sometimes i need a slap in the face! k…dont go forming a line now. :p
Jenny

======= Mae:

about the woman who touched Jesus’ robe. I love that story! Mark 5:34 “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed”. Can you imagine touching Jesus? I truly believe that I can be saved just by touching Him if I only love Him enough. I went to a healingservice once. During the massprayer I felt hot, I felt the adrenaline running through my body, I wanted to cry out loud, I wanted to shout out loud praising the Lord, I saw a bright light and thought I was going to faint … and all of a sudden it was gone, everything was gone. I opened my eyes and I felt like I just had touched the Lord’s throne. Whenever I read or hear about this story about the woman touching Jesus’ robe, I think about me reaching out and touching the throne. I don’t even know why it felt like touching the throne … I’m not sure if I saw myself touching the throne in my thoughts or if it was some sort of vision … I can’t explain. It was magical! I knew I was healed instantly from my daily headaches and muscle-pains in my neck and shoulders. It was in my body for more than 15 years and from that evening on, from that moment on I was healed! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!!
Mae

======= Ramona:

Leviticus 11-12:8 (Mark 5:21-43)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. … And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. …. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:1-31 KJV)
O.K. So what happened that now there are clean and unclean animals? (Rhetorical question). As we search for why the laws, the setting apart of clean and unclean, holy and secular/profane some of the explanations do not satisfy me. I’m not saying they are wrong, I’m just saying I’m still “thirsty” for understanding. I want to know the why and wherefores. If everything was created “good” and “very good” what has sin done to corrupt God’s creation? Or has each created things purpose just been thrown out of wack because of sin? (Again Rhetorical) Man sinned, not the plants, not the animals, not the bugs, what did our sin set into motion that we now read about this separation and division? (Rhetorical).
I stated this previously but it bears repeating, everything we read about in the Old Testament points to the New, everything that God inspired man to write in the Old points to Jesus Christ. Life is all about choices and God gave the church in the wilderness something to choose, life or death, blessing or curses, holiness or the profane. It is all about choice. He commands Israel, to “be perfect because I am perfect.” Israel was given 600 plus laws, and the deal was, You break one you break them all. The only way you could do this was definitely not in your own strength because no one could keep the law. That is why the altar in the Tabernacle has to be busy from sun up to sun down. This could only be done by faith under the Old Covenant (Habakkuk2:4), as well as under the New (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38). So to be Perfect like God, back then and now, one must walk with God and your perfection comes by way of identification with God/Christ.
One of the things I think that point toward Christ are the consumption of the animals that have split hooves and chew the cud. (Yes, I know I am probably going off on the deep end but here goes). Split hooves, at least to me, points to separation, choosing one thing over the other, not melding the sacred with the profane. They are close enough to be seen but with enough distance to be separated. Along with the split hooves, there must be constant chewing, digesting what was eaten and bringing it back up again to be chewed on some more, this speaks to me of “meditating” on God’s Word. The nutrients in the “grass” are not exhausted in the first swallow, but must be “chewed” over and over again. I believe it is akin to mediating on every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and we know that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1)
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. (Joshua 1:8 AMP)
Also we can take note that Jesus “appears” to have broken or subverted Levitical Laws in today’s New Testament readings. He has been touched by a woman with an issue of blood, thus by the Law is unclean (We will read this in the days to come), he has not only been in the same room with the dead but touched the body making Him unclean. Could the statement He made to the “mourners,” “…She is sleeping” been said to not “offend” the people who knew she was dead? (Yes, again Rhetorical) Whatever the reason, death, sickness could not stay when Jesus showed up.
And another thing: In this passage there are a lot of twelve’s. Jesus is walking with his twelve disciples and is stopped by a man with a sick daughter who is twelve years old. He is then touched with an intentional touch by a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years. Is twelve the number for “God’s Purpose? (There are 12 sons of Jacob; 12 tribes of Israel, Hmmm). I am reading a secular book written by the famous science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, Realm of Numbers. It is non-fiction and it gives the history of our number system and mathematics in general. On page 45 he discusses that there was a challenger to our base 10 numbering system, it was the number 12.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Julie:

Thank you so much for the insights you give in the Bible Blog. Leviticus is challenging—I like the phrase “liver and onions” used to describe it–but I also remember that liver and onions is a very nutritious food. Sometimes it bothers me that we try very hard to lead biblical lives but totally ignore the rules in Leviticus. However, I do not want to give up barbeque pork sandwiches.
Julie

======= Janet:

From today’s OT reading this verse is convicting.
You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.(Lev 11:45)
But how do I apply dietary rules when Lev’s rules are no longer binding?
Romans 14:20-21 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Additional to Paul’s claim, I view this OT passage, like the forbidden fruit for Adam and Eve, as SELF-DENIAL. ‘Be separate’, ‘be in the world but not of the world’ comes to mind when food shopping. Within the aisles of the store I view, mostly (not all), products that would best be NOT consumed. The perimeter of each food store sells the God made foods. They are the foods that are the best for us, today.
I have shared this position with my adult children and we purpose to avoid Satan’s products, filling but not satisfying; and purchase God’s treats: All Satisfying. Wondering how other Christians view this? Ramona’s emphasis of chewing on the Word is a wonderful application!:)
Praying for holiness, indeed!
Janet

======= Jennifer:

Death is life. Christ said to the women, because of your faith you are healed. She acted out of faith in her healing. Christ reassured Jarius “trust me”. Death to ourselves through our faith in Christs action in our lives is life giving and healing. However, faith requires action. you cannot hide like the women wanted to do, but tell others and proclaim your faith.
Jennifer

======= Steve:

Leviticus 11:44 (The new 2011 NIV) I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
It’s pure pleasure to jump into God’s word each morning and search for treasure. I chose this verse because I wanted to know more about holiness. As I ponder what it is to be holy, the first thing that comes to mind is that being holy is being willing to give up sin and the second thing that comes to mind is that being holy is being fruitful. When we come to the point in our walk that we truly want to give up sin then and only then does the Lord begin to stuff tools in our quiver that we can use to gain victory over the sins which have easily entangled us in the past. Holiness is becoming mature.
In the time of Leviticus, God was teaching the Israelites the difference between good and evil, the same way we as Christians today are taught by the Holy Spirit and by studying God’s word. I know it sounds over simplified but today it seems that many don’t understand the difference between good and evil as they have been somewhat merged. Separating good from evil is the first step in our walk as Christians. I read a commentary that describes the process of separating good from evil similar to the way a pathologist peers through a microscope and is able to tell which cells are normal and which are cancerous. The way a musician is able to tell the difference between the right note and the almost right note. The way an expert writer knows the difference between any word and the right word.
The desire for Holiness is reached when we have gone through the desert and come to the conclusion that we are utterly incapable of helping ourselves and running the show. We must come to that conclusion before wisdom will enter us. Holiness is laying down our will and yielding to the Holy Spirit every step we take this day.
Steve

======= Molly:

Jesus said in Matthew chapter 15:
16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”
I have went on diets before and kept a record of everything that I eat, but how many of us write down or keep a record of everything that comes OUT of our mouth? Our Father in heaven does.
I agree that there are a lot of idle words being spoken today. Matthew chapter 12 records what Jesus said about us giving an account for all these words:
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Molly

======= Jessica:

What a great comment. Molly! I have the feeling I would be much more convicted of my true sin if I kept a record of the words out of my mouth as faithfully as I do the food that goes in to it! Wow. That is a powerful comment.
Also appreciate your comment Steve about discernment between cancer cells/normal and musical notes. Isn’t it funny that some of the most “off” notes are the ones that are closest to the correct ones? Sin that is not obvious (“smalltalk” in this context) can be the most harmful sometimes.
I am a very talkative person by nature, but both my husband and my best friend are more reserved…or at least are more thoughtful about what they say. This lesson today ( a day late, by the way!) has a lot of good things in it for me, but none so much as the exhortion to avoid smalltalk. I am convicted of how many times people may have wanted to tell me something, or just had me avidly listen, but I put up a barrage of words….
Jessica

======= Jeff:

All of Jesus’ healings are fantastic, but bringing a dead person back to life takes it to a higher, even more amazing level. Regarding Jesus’ raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, I focused on the final verse Mark 5:43 “But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, …”. Aside from his own resurrection, there are only two other instances when Jesus raised someone from the dead (Lazarus; and the Widow’s Son). But Jairus’ daughter is the only instance when he counseled them that ‘no one should know it’. My guess is that he didn’t want the knowledge of His power over death to become too widely known yet. That power would become manifest most powerfully at the right time (when He resurrected Himself).
Jeff

======= Gloria:

Think it more than a coincidence that Leviticus’ uncleanness scriptures coincide with the woman with an issue of blood.
Could it be that Jairus knew personally of the woman with an issue of blood, perhaps all too well, for the impositions she may have caused over the years making his temple unclean?
Think it probable in her desperation, she went to the synagogue for help, outcome being the temple being declared unclean for a time. Think Jairus knew this woman well and when he finds that she is the reason for stopping their mission to heal his daughter he is chagrined to find this woman to be the cause for the delay. It may be possible and perhaps necessary for him to witness her healing, to bolster his faith to believe that Jesus could also do the “impossible” for his daughter. In wondering what Jairus’ thoughts could have been when Jesus says, “Trust me,” what he has just witnessed may have helped him release his thoughts of despair to that of trust by focusing on Jesus and His Word. Think it critical that Jairus focus on Jesus and not his daughter’s condition or what the rest of the world was saying for his daughter to be healed.
The daughter didn’t believe, she couldn’t, her father believed for her.
This pertains to us as we may become entrenched in life’s trials and adversities.
We must focus on Jesus, not the impossibilities.
He is, after all, God of the impossible.
He owns and ordains the present as well as the future.
Gloria

======= Joe:

A couple thoughts came to me in today’s verses. The first one allowed me to reflect on what it means to be holy. Webster defines holy as connected to a god or a religion; religious and morally good. I know that I cannot be holy on my own but only through receiving and accepting the holy spirit. Today I pray for the annointing of the holy spirit on my life and every waking moment. This website also provides a good description what it means to be holy: http://www.gotquestions.org/holy-holy-holy.html
Joe

======= Jill:

That’s a big one. Babbling! Excess talking! I found for myself in Ecc 5 King Solomon says “let your words be few” What a wise man! : ) When being accused we
Dont have to go on and on to defend ourselves, if we are living holy and blameless lives we won’t ever have to defend ourselves. Christ is our defense . Our prayers we need. To keep simple and pure. Trying to prove a point? Ask God for words of wisdom and opportunities to share our faith. If any excess words we have let it be to boast in our Lord as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:17
Jill

======= Zoe:

Small talk is babbling. Make sure it’s not gossip, must be edifying to the hearer. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Eph 4:29. Unwholesome is also corrupt communications- or in the Greek = worthless, Also means unproductive.
Zoe

======= MItch:

OT: if the universe (as scientists say) is 10 dimensional, then God must be ten dimensional or more. What does that look like? How does He think? Have no idea. BUT we know He is Holy. Roots of Holy mean apart or other.
God is the ultimate other. He commands His children to be “other”. “Other” especially than the Canaanites. His commands today, say “How” and “What”, but God does not always tell us “Why”. Kind of presumptuous to demand the “Why”. We can guess – don’t eat things that Canaanites eat, to stave off pandemics, for hygiene, etc.
NT – the progression has been unfolding. Jesus has demonstrated power over sickness, over demons, over nature, and now over death. Sounds like a resume’ of God, doesn’t it? BTW any significance in the women’s 12 year illness and Jarious’ daughter being 12?
Mitch

======== Dee:

Ramona made a good commentary about the number 12.Numbers are always so significant in the Bible. The number 7 being the number of days of creation and of course 7th day being completion, the woman being ceremonially unclean or not to touch anything holy for 7 days after having a male child, then on the 8th day going and getting circumsized. The number 3 being on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, the third son (Seth) being the child promised to Adam and Eve as a promise to bring salv ation, brought about Noah, who had 3 sons, (maybe triplets) not sure… 33 days being when a woman is made able to go back into the tabernacle again after having a male and the number 14 days being if the woman is unclean from having a daughter and 66 days waiting on purification and made able to go to the tabernacle afterwards from having a girl..basically, numbers go on an on Amen!! in the Bible, so the Lord uses numbers to accomplish His completion and His power and to teach us that everything and everyone has a purpose and Word given in due season to all the Hear and Do the Word..
In the Psalm today, where David is crying out to the Lord in Chapter 38. I use the Life Application, the NLT, and I am kind of thinking on line of Ramona, reading some scripture and my Bible has some commentary notes at the bottom illustrating and in align with the chapter notes..In 38:2-4 says Your arrows have struck deep, and you blows are crushing me. Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me–it is a burden too heavy to bear. Well in my notes in the footnotes, it says that David saw his anguish as judgment from God for his sins. Although God does not always send physical illness to punish us for sin, this verse and others in Scripture(Acts 12:21-23; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32) indicate that he does in certain circumstances. Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause great suffering. Sometimes God has to punish his children in order to bring them back to himself (Hebrews 12:5-11). First of all I am going to stop there on the footnotes. GOD DOES NOT bring sin upon us..sin is prevelant in our lives through the decisions we make. God says I put before you life and death, blessings and curses, therefore choose LIFE!! Deut 30:19. Even reading the footnotes and commentary, we have to watch out for connotations and inuindo’s that indicate that God punishes us in order to bring us back to himself. He doesn’t do that! God is Good! Remember back in the garden when Adam and Eve sinned and then they tried to hide from God. God already knew what they had done but He couldn’t look upon them because they sinned! He can’t look up the sin we have on us because if His goodness and His light were to look upon us in our sin, we would all be burned up because Light can’t look upon Darkness because it would destroy the Darkness..our sins our actions are what steers our course! Always know to be careful.. watch and read the Word so that You will not stumble.
~~be blessed!
Dee

Leviticus 9:7-10:20 + Mark 4:26-5:20 + Psalm 37:30-40 + Proverbs 10:6-7
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Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 9 we read about Aaron & his sons beginning their priestly ministry.  I liked verse 24 as a closing verse to this chapter: “Fire blazed forth from the LORD’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.”  I think what this verse does for me is to really confirm that all of the Offerings we are reading about in Leviticus were ordained by God at that time and that what we are reading about in Leviticus is truly part of God’s story.  Not that I ever doubted this fact – but, when you read about God consuming the offering in fire in such a dramatic fashion, you realize that God was fully pleased with the priest’s and the people’s obedience.  The Offerings are part of God’s story – and are foreshadowing the final Offering of Jesus on the cross.  Do you believe the Offerings are a part of our spiritual history?

In Leviticus chapter 10 we read about the disobedience of Nadab and Abihu.  You’ll recall 2 days ago that we read in Leviticus Chapter 6 verse 13: “Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.”  Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God.   Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die.  I realize that this can seem like a very harsh punishment for disobedience. Commentaries suggest that because Nadab and Abihu were in such high spiritual leadership positions, their disobedience carried the risk of leading many people astray.  One commentary at this link suggests that Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated on wine, based on God’s subsequent instruction for priestly worship in Leviticus 10:9 – “You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die.” It may help to remember that we saw disobedience from others earlier in the Bible – and we’ll see disobedience again later in the Bible – without the consequence of immediate death.  But, in this case, disobedience brought death.  Think about the risk of disobedience in our lives today.   Yeah, sure, maybe we can get away with something dangerous/disobedient 9 times out of 10 – but, there is always the risk that perhaps the 10th time could prove lethal.  So – why take the risk of disobedience at all?  Is it worth it?  Ever?

New Testament – I love the parable of the growing seed in Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29.  This parable only occurs in the Gospel of Mark.  I equate the seed to be the Gospel, which is filled with so much power and truth and life that “the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer’s help, because the earth produces crops on its own.”  The Gospel message is so powerful on its own that it will produce a bountiful crop.  Or – maybe the Bible is another way to look at the seed.  Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives.  It can’t help but not do so.  What do you think the seed represents in this parable?  I’ll share with you that I have been thinking more and more about farming these days – and the wisdom in how farming works.  You plant, you water, you care for the soil, you wait, the plant grows.   And this takes time.  You reap what you sow.  And I contrast this with our society today – or myself – and how everything moves so fast.  We want instant gratification.  Now!  🙂  We don’t like to wait on anything.  We don’t like the concept of farming…  and I’m afraid that this speed of life today can really be unhealthy – or maybe superficial is the word I’m looking for.  In any case, I think the patience and process of farming is something that has so much value for us still today.  If we are struggling with sins or sadness or whatever, I think we absolutely need to take these things to Jesus for healing – but, we would do well to realize that Jesus may want to do some farming in our hearts.  He may want to plant some seeds, and give the seeds some time to grow.  Sure, maybe sometimes we’ll get an instant gratification healing or answer. But I think more often than not we should be ready for some farming to occur in our hearts.  And to thank God for the wisdom of this process!

I think my little tangent on farming and being patient during the process, above, might play in well to Jesus’ next parable of the mustard seed in verses 30 through 32: “Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.””  I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts – be it the Gospel, the Bible, healing, patience, faith – we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others.  From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants.  Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart?  And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?

Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on Mark chapter 4 titled “The Meaning of the Miracles” is at this link.  Commentary from Bible.org on Jesus healing a demon possessed man in Mark chapter 5 titled the “Gerasene Demoniac” is at this link.  Below is an image for the end of chapter 4 where we read about Jesus calming the storm:

Psalms – Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: “The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path.”  Are you filling your heart with God’s teachings?  Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path?  Are you offering good counsel to those around you?  When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong?  Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you 🙂 –

Proverbs – Proverbs 10 verse 7 is so simple but so true…  “We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.”  Who do you have happy memories of?  Who have you forgotten?  How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy?

Worship Video: Proverbs 10:7 reminds me of the song “Legacy” by Nicole Nordeman:

Do you know your eternal Legacy? Click here to meet your Legacy Maker!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.” Leviticus 9:24 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will shout for joy for the Lord. Pray that you will humble yourself to fall before the Lord face down on the ground.

Comments from You & Question of the Day – What do you think of my farming analogies in the NT reflections above?  Has our modern world forgotten about some of the principles of farming the land?  Have we forgotten that we reap what we sow?  Have we lost our patience, to the point where we will not even wait for the harvest to come in at its appointed time?  Are we trying to control things in our modern day life that aren’t controllable?  Such as the “pace” at which a seed grows into a plant and a plant into a full harvest?  In losing some of our knowledge of the principles of farming and growing, are we at risk of losing ourselves?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

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======= Ramona:

Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Today’s reading has me thinking about some situations that I know from first-hand experience. This reading opens up with Moses, doing what he has heard God tell him to do, giving instructions to Aaron to approach the alter and present first his sin offering for himself and then the whole burnt offering making atonement also for himself. After doing that he could then present the offerings for the people.
This order was not a suggestion but a commandment. Each and everything done in the Tabernacle and for the service of the priests, the people and the nation was not done by consensus nor by group decision, but by the command of God. So many of us today, Christians, believers, think that they can worship God, come before God in a way that pleases them. They have stepped in and decided to call the shots. I have heard statements like this, “God knows my heart.” “God and I,” or precisely, “Me and God, putting themselves first, “have an agreement, an understanding.” What they are really saying is that they are rejecting God’s order and placing their order of worship above anything else.
Because they say this is the New Covenant not based on Bulls and Goats they only have to worship in “spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23) Yet Jesus said He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Folks are trying to make up their own “truth;” however, it doesn’t work that way. So what we have are people making up their own way, their own truth and their own life and then wail out to God when things don’t go their way.
People who play in the center divider of the highway, sooner or later, will get run over by either a Mini-Cooper or a Sixteen-wheeler, I’m speaking metaphorically. When that happens how often do we hear the cry of, “Well, God took them,” or, “It was their time.” No, it wasn’t their time they went against the laws of nature and the Word of God. In these readings we see the two boys of Aaron get wiped out because they failed to listen to God’s command and these guys were anointed priests of God. Their position didn’t save them; their sincerity didn’t save them. They took a chance and gambled, they lost.
We also see here that God did not stop the process because Aaron was still required to carry out his duties. I have taken great notice in how the bodies of Nadab and Abihu were carried out by their cousins. The other brothers couldn’t carry them out because they were not to be around anything dead which would have disqualified them from participating in the process. The cousins carried them out by their tunics as Moses had commanded (10:5) Hmm, very interesting.
Also, I believe the order of the sacrifices, sin, burnt and then peace/fellowship gives us a window into our approach God. We cannot come in peace to His alter, whatever and wherever that may be today, without dealing with the “sin” issue, then offering ourselves up as a “living” sacrifice. God is a God of order, not of chaos and confusion.
During my years that I professed my hatred of God, if he did exist (I was judging God by the disciples I met in His church and at home.), some people would ask me questions about my anger and rage juxtaposed to the issue of Jesus and God. I would flippantly say, “Well, if there is a God then He knows what happened to me so he would forgive me,” and/or “If there is a God and as you say He is merciful, then He would show me mercy.” What I know realize is that confession of sin and becoming a living sacrifice has nothing to do with God’s mercy as much as it had everything to do with Identification with Christ. It is being under that “cover: that protects us from a Holy God and the only way to be protected by that is through the Gift of Salvation. Nadab and Abihu walked out from under that cover of protection by trying to do it “Their Way.”
Mark 4:26-5:20
I know in reading this passage Mike noticed that the seeds took hold in the soil and grew without the action of the farmer. The seeds interact with the soil, water and sunlight or warmth from the sun. Mike looked at this from the perspective of the Word of God in our own hearts. And if we take what was read yesterday about the Sower or Farmer who sowed seeds that landed on four different soil types, we understand that the soil represents the condition of our hearts, soft and workable, or hard like a well-trodden path. I see this as a means to not “sweet” the process as we minister to people, a stance I learned from my son when he was about fifteen.
As my son went to a NYC Public High School that he chose and I was feeling the pressure of having him not be in a good “Christian School” forgetting that there are dedicated Christian Educators in the public school system. Well anyway, I was trying to subtly, not so subtly ask him about his “evangelistic” endeavors at school, and if there were any. Now it wasn’t as if we had discussed this possibility, I was just trying to calm my guilty feelings, which were in reality, false guilt. I was blown away by his response. He said, and I quote, “My job is to plant the seeds, it’s someone else’s job to water.” That was it. All he made was a short statement and I realized that he understood something that I didn’t or hadn’t come to terms with. He knew the power of the Word of God, He knew that growth depended on the soil of the heart, which is the person’s own responsibility to maintain (Jeremiah 4:3; Hosea 10:11-12). He knew that it was God who brought the increase, not us. And he knew the scriptures. Jesus is speaking, 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, `One person plants and someone else harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and you will gather the harvest.” See also 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7
Psalm 37:30-40
My struggle with “what’s right is seen throughout this Psalm. Everywhere I turn in this Psalm I see God maintaining His justice, I see God extracting His own vengeance.
34 Don’t be impatient for the LORD to act!
Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed.
I must learn to wait on the Lord and believe in my heart totally that He will and is my Advocate and my Protector.
Proverbs 10:6-7
And if I haven’t gotten the message in Psalm 37, these two verses in Proverbs provide reinforcement for my hard head and heart.
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======== Mick:

I found this on the Bible.org website, and it follows along nicely with Mike’s tangent on farming (which I am enjoying very much by the way!
The Change in Planting Corn
When the pilgrims settled in the United States, they brought their tools from Europe and learned to grow corn from the Indians. Their technology was limited. They dug a hole in the ground, planted an ear of corn, and added fish for fertilizer. By working hard with his hoe, a colonist could grow the equivalent of four bushels of corn a year, or about one bushel for each month in the growing season. By the time of the Civil War, farmers used mules and developed plows and other tools enabling a man to grow the equivalent of a bushel of corn a week or 16 bushels of corn a year. But today, with advanced technology, petrochemical fertilizer, soil analysis, and four-wheel drive tractors, a farmer can grow the equivalent of a bushel of corn for each 10 minutes of the growing season. American farmers grow more corn than the other farmers of the world because of better technology and better tools. The miracle of life in the seed has not changed; farmers can do nothing to change what God has ordered in the growth cycle. But tools and technology can improve the harvest.
154 Steps to Revitalize Your Sunday School, by Elmer Towns (USA: Scripture Press Publ., 1988), pp. 11-12
In Christ,
Mick

======== Lisa:

A few things that I found interesting in our readings today:
1) When Nadab and Abihu were struck down, Leviticus 9:4 states that “Aaron was silent.” He must have known there was no defense or excuse for their actions. Later, when Moses confronts the other two sons in v. 16 – 18 for how they handled the meat of the sin offering, Aaron answers Moses and defends his remaining two sons and 9:20 says that “he (Moses) was satisfied.” While I do believe that “sin is sin”, I have often wondered about gradations of sin – is one sin worse than another in God’s eyes, or does He see all sin the same way? Both sets of sons were disobedient, yet some are struck down and the others are forgiven. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this?
2) Leviticus 10:10-11 – “You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common.” (NASB uses the words “holy” and “profane”.) In v. 11, we read “you must teach the Isrealites all the decrees that the Lord has given through Moses.” This reminded me of Matthew 28:20, where Jesus says “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
Both of these passages remind me of my responsibility to study God’s Word daily, to be able to discern between the “sacred and the common” and to go out and teach others with my life, my actions and my words.
3) Finally, I would encourage everyone (who has the time) to read Mike’s links to the bible.org commentaries. I am in an in-depth study of Leviticus right now and have found those commentaries to be really helpful in understanding Leviticus, as well as the foreshadowing and how it all plays out in the New Testament. I have found my study of Leviticus has given me a much richer understanding of the New Testament, and especially the book of Hebrews.
Lisa

======= Pat:

Lisa, what Nadab and Abihu did was an act of deliberate sin made because they felt they could either rely on their own ability to start the fire or that their power from being a priest would enhance the power of God. Either they saw no reason to keep the altar fire burning as instructed in 6:12-13 because they knew they could easily relight it themselves which is probably what happened – or – the fire was still as burning as instructed but they decided that their priestly positions gave them power equal to the power of God which they demonstrated by adding their own additional fire to the altar. In either case God punished them by consuming them with fire.
Aaron had just seen his two oldest sons and his two remaining sons Elezar and Ithamar had just seen their brothers burned to ashes. Moses instructed the three of them not to leave the tabernacle to grieve with the people or to tear their clothes or let their hair go uncombed as a sign of mourning because they were to continue performing their priestly duty of offering sin sacrifices to God on behalf of the people and they did as were instructed. They did not turn their backs on God or refuse to perform their duties. However, after they burned the sin offering for their own sin and the sins of the people, they did not eat the meat as instructed. Moses approached them angrily demanding to know why they didn’t eat the meat. Aaron basically explained to Moses that they had done all they were suppose to do except they were to upset to eat after just watching Nadab and Abihu having been burned to a crisp, and then Moses understood and had compassion on them.
This is comforting to me because just as Moses had compassion when he realized how much Aaron, Elezar and Ithamar were hurting, Christ has compassion for us when we are deeply upset or hurting. God knows and considers what is taking place in our hearts. There are times when we hurt too deeply to pray and the Holy Spirit intervenes for us during those times. There are times when we have such pressing matters going on in our lives that even though we read the Scripture we are not aware of what we read, but God knows we are doing the best that we can do at that time. There are times when for some reason or another we cannot make ourselves enter the door of the church, but God still loves us and stays with us.
God bless!
Pat

======= John:

Lisa,
As far as the severity of punishment, I can only think of the phrase: ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’. They apparently as priests did actions “contrary to his command” Lev 10:1, and paid a price.
When we get to Leviticus 16, we will see that they violated not just the manner of coming to the Lord, but the time and place as well.
I also think of the recount of Annanias and Saphira in Acts. It seems that when the Lord is setting up something (worship in the wilderness,the early church,etc.), an early “wrong” act can be severely punished to make an “example of” and to say ‘take this stuff seriously’. There may be other examples I can not think of at this moment.
As far as the later sin of not eating the offering in the Tent. I think the difference is: Aaron because of what happened was thinking he and his sons were not worthy to be in fellowship with God. He was too embarassed or felt guilty. However, that is exactly the point – do your offering, atone for the sin, and rejoin God in fellowship.
In other words, the second one was not a sin of willful defiance, but one of human feelings of guilt and shame over the previous screw-up. And apparently Moses was satisfied that it was not a continuing pattern of willful disobediance.
[I certainly defer to other opinions on your question – these are just my off-thecuff responses].
John

======= Jim:

With regards to Lisa’s commment on the gradations of sin… I have to agree with Mike’s analysis, that Aaron’s sons were in such a high leadership position and their sin was so obvious that the Lord made an example of them. Another example would be in the Acts of the Apostles when a husband and wife (I can’t remember their names) were struck down by God for holding back a portion of an offering they gave. They sold property and said they gave all the money to the Church, however they held back a portion for themselves in secret. Again, I have to believe this was to show the “wages of sin”, which is death. I have noticed that both of these instances occurred in the beginning of new ministries (the beginning of the Tabernacle of the Lord and the beginning of the Christian Church).
As for farming and it’s similarities in the Christian life… I can agree that faith is like the smallest of seeds and grows ten times to hundred thousand times from which it started. As for whether today’s world no longer can handle a ‘farming’ analogy? All I can say is that God moves at His own pace no matter what. We have our time frames for doing things and God has His. We cannot speed up growth just like we cannot speedup the sunrise or sunset. You can think your growing quicker, but often at times we just end up deceiving our selves.
Stay safe and God Bless,
Jim

======= Anka:

The verse that stood out to me in today’s old testament reading…to wash the inner parts of the offerings and the legs even if they were going to be burnt completely.I kind of thought of the bible verse,”present your body a living sacrifice”and thought about the heart(inner part)for the sacrifice to be pleasing…we need to be wash every part.
As I chewed on the “He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything”in mark 4:34..I wondered why Jesus didn’t explain everything to everyone..to give them all a chance.Maybe because he wanted them to seek him,he wanted to be sure he didn’t give pearls to pigs…maybe he wanted to separate those who only came for the”show” from those who wanted to hear the truth….
sorry I meant for the sacrifice to be pleasing to God we have to wash the inner part…renewing our mind with the word…the word does clean up our inner parts….
Anka

======= John:

Anka,
I believe J. Vernon McGee in his bible commentary has it correct. The Pharisees had begun to plot for Jesus’ demise. But it was not His time yet. Some (maybe many) of the crowds came for the miracles, but not the spiritual applications. Those were indifferent to spiritual truths.
This “necessitated a change to the use of parables so that those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness would be filled and those that wanted spiritual truth could have their eyes opened.”
While the others had hardened hearts that made them unable to see and hear the Truth of God’s Word as spoken by Jesus. They were just confused.
The application today:
“Now it is your reaction and reception to the Word of God that is going to determine whether you will be saved or not.” – Mcgee again
Does the non-believer search for God with an open honest heart? Do they truly want to know the Truth? Are they playing games, or do they really want to understand God’s message?
If they have a heart with no guile, want the Truth, want to understand – then God will reveal it to them. Otherwise, they will just be confused.
Once revealed, it is just a matter of a Choice.
WHOMSOEVER WILL
P.S. Then why were the apostle’s spoon-fed? Because they were “chosen” and they followed, and Jesus chose to teach them separately to prepare them for when he was gone. {my conjecture here}
John

======== Oriane:

Hi guys
I am reading this book called “Winning Words” It’s about making sure that we know what God says about us by readind the bible daily and applying it to our lives. I agree totally that the Bible is like a seed. Once it’s sown we will reap the rewards as we are transformed from the inside out. The parables about the seeds have come up a lot in the last week. A friend of mine talked about it and referred me to the first two lines in John! The power of the Word of God will change our lives as we make it become a part of our being! Just thought I’d share this with you!
Bye
Oriane

======= Mae:

Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? ~ Funny you ask this question, our friends are going through a hard time right now in their marriage. They turned to us for some sort of ‘counselling’. I straight out told them that I will listen to them but I refused to give them advice, I’m not a proffessional counsellor and I don’t want to mess it up even worse. I don’t want them to say “But you told us …”. I can share my experiences, I can share feelings, I can comfort them … but I won’t give advice. Anyway, they said they turned to us for help because they saw so many changes in us since I was saved, we seemed so much happier then before, they knew Rene and I always had a good marriage, but it seemed different now. I instantly knew they had to see the Holy Spirit in us. My friend told me she knows we can help them through this, because we life out of God’s word. I told her they can do that themselves to … and she’s going to join me to church tomorrow. Praise the Lord!
Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow? ~ Patient/Patience is a new word in my dictionary since 6 months LOL I’ve come to learn what patience is all about since I’m saved. I was a terrible person who always wanted things NOW or yesterday. Jesus defenitly planted a needed mustard seed in my heart … I know He did. I’m patient and little by little I see it grow. I know I need to be patient, it needs time, space and good care. It’s not easy, because I really want to see what it looks like full grown, but it needs time. Till that time comes, I’ll enjoy taking care of it. It’s exciting taking care of something so beautiful … planted with great care and love …
Who do you have happy memories of? Who have you forgotten? How will you be remembered? ~ How will I be remembered? It depends who you ask … The reborn version of Mae is so much nicer than ‘the old one’. There are people I had a HUGE terrible fight with before I got saved. We went seperate ways and I never bothered looking back. I hurt them and they hurt me. They’ll remember me as a psycho, seriously, they will. We had our differences and at that time the best thing to do, for me, was to turn around and don’t look back. They let me down and I let them let me down, does that make sense? I still hope they will see me and see the changed person in me someday. I do know they will never let me explain what happened back then and something inside of me tells me it’s better this way. Anyway … I’m not really sure how I will be remembered … I hope people remember my laughter. I laugh a lot … A LOT!!! LOL I have happy memories of my grandfather, he passed away when I was 9 years old. I still remember how sweet he was for me, I remember his voice so clearly and his smell. He always called me “Mabellina” … Who have I forgotten? I gave this question a lot of thought, and I think I didn’t forget about someone … Especially people who had a big part in my life. There are people that I didn’t treat right, I don’t have them in my life anymore, but that doesn’t necerally mean that I forgot about them. ( I keep having problems with the word necerally LOL … spellcheck!!!)
Mae

======= Jenny:

Concerning the farmer analogy, God sure has made me wait for just about everything. Tho when at last it comes, its well worth the wait. It can be frustrating…not just because this is the age of instant info, instant everything! i was just listening to a radio sermon about Joseph, all he went through, like being in prison for those 2 yrs…God was preparing his heart, he was giving him “iron in his soul” for what lie ahead. I’m currently in the midst of a very stressful, painful situation and all i can do is wait on God. i’m at His mercy, totally dependent on Him, tho I always am anyway. Instead of saying, ‘all i can do is wait’ i long to really say, ‘God is blessing me by having me wait, shaping me, molding me’. ‘God is producing something greater in my suffering and trials’.
Its very hard to rejoice in, but if I am righteous before Him (which i dont feel i am, save for the righteousness of Jesus imparted to me), He promises to be with me n produce a harvest in me. Is He preparing me for something more? Spiritually yes, but in my situations i’m in now…I just dont know now. i’m very confused. Here come that verse, ‘lean not to your own understanding, trust in Him, and He shalll direct your path,’
I’m counting on this now. I just dont know what to do, what my next step will be, i feel so helpless. But in the midst of all the tears, i know God loves me and His thoughts of me are constant and good. I feel very alone in this regarding other ppl, but not alone regarding God the Father. i’m so desperate for Him, like that song, “i’m lost without you’. I need His help so bad, this next week is going be very tough on me. sometimes, i just dont know if He is saying no or wait regarding normal life decisions.
I know God has the power to stop the storm, but He has the power to see me through the storm too. Sometimes He wont calm the storm, but calm the child.
I love these verses in psalms: 39 “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 The LORD helps them and delivers them…”
I think this proverb, v.7 is concerning more the spiritual realm. Certainly the most ‘wicked’ people in history aren’t forgotten, Hitler, Hussein, Stalin, Dauhmer, Bundy, etc. These people will be forgotten when the eternal begins of course.
People who shock us or make any impact on our lives, I don’t think are forgotten this side of heaven. I have lost many people in my life, godly and ungodly and my love for them isn’t determined by their godliness/ungodlinesst. My happy memories live on in those who were ungodly as well. the one I miss the most is my best friend who died unsaved. Certainly I wont forget her while I live on earth…but God promises to wipe away all our tears in heaven. Concerning loved ones who “perish”, I believe God will erase our memory of them. In heaven, I don’t think we will not think of the lost…which actually breaks my heart. I’m sure this is very painful for all of us.
I probly sound like a real downer today, but hey, thats life. I’m clinging to Christ n hanging in there, thats all I can do…or God is blessing me by allowing me to go through this (ok, i cant honestly say i feel this way). but God help me through this next week. waaaaah. prayers are sure appreciated!
Jenny

======= Mae:

Jenny … first of all I want to let you know that I’m defenitly praying for you! God will help you through this …
Second I want to respond on what you wrote “but God promises to wipe away all our tears in heaven. Concerning loved ones who “perish”, I believe God will erase our memory of them. In heaven, I don’t think we will not think of the lost…which actually breaks my heart. I’m sure this is very painful for all of us”. Do you know that I think about this al lot? I have so many unsaved relatives and friends, and it’s like you said, so painful for me to know that they will be erased out of my memories. I do believe that God will erase them from our memories, to be sure that we won’t be broken by thinking about them while we are in heaven and they’re on earth. Going through terrible times. I really do think about it a lot … I can say daily. I hope I can get my loved ones to be saved … Like before Rene was saved, I have had many many times sitting on the coutch praying to the Lord and asking Him to bring Rene home save. Rene practicly lives in his car during the week, and while we had stroms going on in Holland, I was praying and asking Him to bring Rene home save. The thought of something happening to Rene and being unsaved, stressed me out! It’s so hard! Gina has a little video on her blog, from the rapture, I cried watching it! I really hope I’ll find a good way to life with this thought, give it a good place in my Christian life … it’s not going to be easy.
Mae

======= Birdie:

I like the idea of the seed being the Word or the Bible. I had another thought about that when I was reading it this morning. I am a leader of a fairly new Bible study. I have become discouraged that not many are coming to it. But then I thought about it, (perhaps the Lord led me to think about it) that one of those persons used the same Bible study as the Sunday School lesson on Sunday mornings, and another one wants to use the Bible study with some friends that she meets regularly with. So I guess it’s growing even when I don’t see it.
Birdie

======= John:

Amen Birdie,
We need to share our thoughts and insights. We need to witness and testify – we have no idea how God will use our sharing of His word and its effects on our lives, but He knows. It is when we sit in silence that we make the mistake. We need to be constantly “sowing”.
Great post!!!!
John

======= Laverne:

Leviticus 10;1-2 -really blew me away and made me so THANKFUL for God’s grace and mercy. Nadab & Abihu did what we all do EVERY day sin; in one of many ways. I am so grateful for His grace. Its funny how this sin caused God to send immediate judgement like with Anaias and Sapphire lying about the amount of money they received for goods, and Adam and Eve. I wonder if this had anything to do with the fact that God was instituting something new and b4 it could get started they almost ruined it.
I so enjoy getting to know Him and His nature and realizing that the O.T God is very different from the N.T God.
Laverne

======= Phil:

The calming of the sea:
A good friend of mine pointed out to me several years ago that the bigger miracle in this story is not that Jesus calmed the sea but rather that the God of the universe was hanging out in a boat with a bunch of lowly fishermen. Wow.
Phil

======= Briggs:

Thanks for the various links to the commentaries on Leviticus, particularly Bible.org. They’ve been very insightful in gleaning truth and context from among these outwardly seeming grotesque sacrifices. I completely understand now Moses’ argument to Pharaoh that the Israelites had to go into the wilderness to worship because their worship would have been abhorring to the Egyptians.
All the symbolism rings with truth when linked to the New Testament but it’s hard to imagine how I would have responded to these sacrifices without the benefit of the New Testament and the wisdom and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I grew up on a farm and I’ve helped with the butchering of large animals and I still remember some of the noxious sights, and particularly the odors, of all the blood and guts. Some of the smells linger with you for days. It’s hard to imagine a Holy place with the sights and smells of blood, guts, and burnt flesh; particularly when Solomon dedicated the temple and sacrificed thousands. It’s Interesting that there is no mention of how to clean up after these sacrifices. Were the priests allowed to wash off the blood from their ears, thumbs, and toes; their priestly garments; the alter itself? Without the benefit of context, it’s terribly difficult to imagine how the LORD was pleased with the “sweet smelling aroma” of these sacrifices. Thank God for the incense that was also burned on the altar. From an outsider’s perspective, where is God in the midst of all this public killing? Surely to any outsider this would seem appalling.
Briggs

======= Jennifer:

I find the need to remind myself to wait for God. I thik of Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him:…
I think the analogy of farming is appropriate. We have to be willing to work long hours, to sacrifice for the crop and know that in Gods time we will reap what has been sown.
I am reading “A Walk Across the Room” by Hiebel and it is a great book about personal evangelism. The point of it is to take chances, build relationships with everyone for they are Gods children, pray for the Holy Spirit to use your life to the benefit of others walk. We do not know the impact on another persons life of a kind word, a helping hand, or any simple act, but if we are available to God his will and path for us will be done.
We may never see the crop, but if we are faithful then it will be more abundant than we can imagine.
Jennifer

======= Roaline:

Thank u for the comment on Moses compassion on Aaron et el.Sometimes we hurt and we do not even realise it.Only the fruit of that pain is evidenced in other areas of our lives.But God comes and through a simple teaching like this brings light on the the root of our actions.Which he has done for me tonight.
Thank you so much for helping me see that.
God bless you.
Roaline

======= Steve:

Mark 4:26-32 The parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed
Jesus speaks of the parable of the growing seed followed by yet another parable, the mustard seed. He spoke in farming terms because most of them understood farming. It’s interesting that Jesus spoke to them in terms they understood (farming) but spoke in parables they couldn’t understand. When you think about it, it makes sense and isn’t a contradiction. The parable which they didn’t understand is like the seed (we don’t understand how it works) no one really understands how a tiny acorn becomes a mighty oak tree.
Jesus spoke in parables sometimes because He knew that would not be able is accept what he was saying at the time He was saying it and like the seed it would germinate in their minds over time, kind of like the subconscious mind mulling it over without really thinking about it. The growing seed is like this, we do nothing but plant it and as we sleep it continues to work developing just as it was created to do. The mustard seed caught my eye regarding the birds lodging in its branches, our property has lots of mustard seed growing on it around the avocado grove and it never gets much bigger than waist high and never strong enough to support a bird or a nest.
I read several commentaries on the mustard seed and though it speaks of what develops from a small amount of faith into something very large (speaking of the church) the birds lodging in the branches is unnatural and symbolizes something that has grown beyond the size it was suppose to grow and has been infiltrated by evil. What started as a small home fellowship in some cases has grown to mega status churches that have lost their way and are not what God intended when planted.
Steve

======== Duane:

The death of the two sons of AAron,reminds me of the disobedience of Moses at striking the rock twice. Moses lifted himself as God to the people. His temper got the best of him,which I can relate to,and cause him to respond the way he did. Moses didnot intentionally intend to dishonor God, but God still chose to punish him. The disobedience of Arron’s sons could have been willful therefore calling for the wrath of God. I like what you said about the parbles of sowing. I don’t like to wait. I just recently started growing tomatoes. Watching the process unfold has been amazing. I would go out everyday to see how my vines were doing. I was the caretaker of this garden. The fruit from these vines were in my hands. Watching my father in law grow tomatoes taught me the principles of caring for the vine. If I take this knowledge and applied to what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life and into the lives that he leads me, then God will supply the needed ingredients to make it grow.
Duane

======= Jeff:

Do the Levitical laws apply today? Or are they voided by the New Covenant? I thought of this question as I was reading Lev 10:8,9 today: “Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations”
Jeff

======= Ginny:

I would say that Levitical laws were mainly for the priests and I would say that we would not get much inspiration out of an inebriated Pastor/Priest/Rabbi! So it probably still stands today!  : )
As for most of the other laws – the old covenant was replaced by the sacrifice and blood of Christ who atoned for our sins on the cross.
Ginny

======= Antonietta:

city people have no idea about farming techniques, we are about instant gratifications.We can’t wait one minute for any thing that is why we can buy flowers and plants that are fully matured. we need not wait. we pass that down to our children who have no patience and want it now, now now.I have to work on being more patience especially when it comes to my relationship with my family. It seem i can be more patient with people out side my immediate family and no patience when it comes to family. I loved the reading in psalms today. verse 35-36 stood out to me today.
Antonietta

======= Russ:

I find that sometimes in the midst of a storm, like the death of a loved one or even one caused by my own disobedience. Once on the other side of that storm ,
I find out God was there with me even though I didn’t pray
Russ

====== Bob:

Mark 5: 1-20 Deliverance of the Demonic. This story brings up a very interesting question in today’s world about people that display abnormal behavior. I would just like to add my experience with a possible cause that we have experienced in our family. Soon after my son arrived from Haiti my wife and I noticed a lot of similar traits Bob Deffinbaugh refers to in his commentary: anti-social behavior, super strength, torment, etc.
After years of therapy, psychologists, special education, Doctors and books we discovered a simple parasite,neurocysticercosis that is prevalent in 3’rd world countries and produces brain injury. After my son experienced a mild seizure, a South African Doctor ordered a CT Scan and from her experience cited the possibility of this parasite. He was immediately air lifted to a Children’s Hospital in Vancouver and a MRI was done to confirm this diagnosis. Our son had the equivalent of a brain injury, hence the bizarre behaviors over the years. I can’t say how often we felt this was the result of a demon in him and repeatedly asked the Lord what to do? His answer came through and now we have a very physical workable situation and somewhat relief knowing what the problem is. I suppose my comment is to be careful when we judge people’s actions. (It may not be a demon). Since they didn’t have MRI’s in Jesus time, this parasite may have been the cause of many “possessions” although in Mark’s story I truly believe we are looking at Demons and given a look at the Spiritual Warfare we must face sometimes. The ironic thing is that this parasite is often found in pork!
Bob

======= Joyce:

Mark 4:26-34
The parable of the growing seed is so encouraging.
Mike, thank you for point out that:
“Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives. It can’t help but not do so,” because “The Gospel message is so powerful on its own.” Indeed, indeed.
May we have faith, may we have patience, may we have hope – in the seed that God plants in our hearts, and in the faith seeds that we have the privilege to plant in others’ hearts.
Sincerely,
Joyce

======= Jeffrey:

After Jesus healed the demon-possessed man, Mark 5:17 says: “And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.”
Normally, Jesus’ miracles caused people to flock to Him. So why in this instance did they want Jesus to leave?
I like the linked commentary’s explanation of this:
“The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost?
In both the accounts of Mark and Luke, the primary motivation is described as that of fear. Luke seems to base this fear solely upon what happened to the demoniac, not on the loss of their pigs.
“And the people went out to see what happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened. And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them; for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned” (Luke 8:35-37).
As these people began to piece together the previous events, not only of the destruction of the pigs, but also the deliverance of Legion, they began to sense that there was One far more awesome, much more to be feared, than Legion. They had dealt with Legion (I suspect) by forcing him from their presence. Now they would deal with this One greater than he by doing likewise. It is ironic that while the demons didn’t want to leave the country, the dwellers of that land didn’t want the Messiah to stay. Here is one of the few times that a miracle drove people away, rather than to draw them to Jesus. It would seem that these people had no Messianic expectations, and therefore wanted nothing to do with One Who had such awesome power, a power over which they had no control.”
Also, we have been reading a lot recently about God’s ceremonial laws in the Old Testament. So why are we Christians not bound by these laws today?
Great article here: https://www.gotquestions.org/ceremonial-law.html
Godspeed,
Jeffrey

======= Robert:

Thanks Jeffrey that is a great article. Historical too because it tackles how we got to to where we are today.
My interest is demons today and especially Jesus encounter and the commentary at “Gerasene Demoniac” by Bob Deffinbaugh.
One thing that I thought was interesting was why Jesus told parables. Good answer by Bob D. in The Setting, ” From this point on, Jesus began to speak to the crowds in parables in order to veil or conceal the gospel from those who had blasphemed the Holy Spirit (Mark 4:lff)”.
Also The residence asking Jesus to leave? Another good answer by Bob D. “The typical explanation for the petition of the residents that Christ leave their country is that they were motivated by materialistic considerations. In other words, Jesus had caused a loss to them of 2,000 swine already; what else would His presence cost?”
Robert

======= Joe:

I think a key point discussed today was the “God Speed” in which a plant grows. We are a nation who no longer waits, takes control, and puts the power in the hands of our government, in hopes to make the our cultural sickness better. Today, I am reminded to enjoy the speed in which God works and that he does so for his own purpose. What he plants, we grow, and he harvests. Thank you Jesus, and please let myself remember that your speed is the speed I want to live.
Joe

======= Judie:

I like your comment about farming, and the wisdom in how farming works and the time it takes.
Growing up in the church, I always thought the farm families were a little different than the rest of us: like they were calmer, not caught up in the fast-paced life the rest of us lived. But most of all, that they were closer to God in that they knew him better because they had to rely on him and trust in him for whatever He sent their way, especially the weather.
One farm family did no farm work on Sunday. I would think of them a lot especially when the weather would be perfect on a Sunday for planting or harvesting. But I knew they would be observing the Sabbath. They had one of the most successful farms around, and then their children also became successful farmers. They put God first in their lives and he certainly blessed them.
Judie

======= Linda:

The phrase in relating to all the different offerings to the LORD “making them right with the LORD” appears multiple times. It reminds me of what Jesus did on the cross for us to make us right with God if we repent of our sin and put our faith in trust in Jesus.
Linda

======= Kristofer:

We have to wait on the Lord for the answers to prayer. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn for God’s children. We have to be like Abraham and be willing to be even a hundred years old before we get the carnal desires of our heart. In the meantime, we have to just trust in God that He knows the desires of our heart. Imagine the wisdom Abraham must have accrued already to be able to pass on to his son, Isaac by the time he was born. Often young parents have children and don’t really know how to teach them and show them a proper example. By the time Isaac was born, and grown a little, Abraham had enough faith in God to even offer him on an altar to the Lord. Imagine what message of faith this must have taught to Isaac. Abraham was not even granted the promised land except one patch of ground with which to bury his wife Sarah, but he was looking for another city. When the hopes and dreams we seek in this world are not realized, we can not seek them on our own terms, but become more aquainted with God while waiting, and as the song goes,
Turn your eyes unto Jesus,
Look full on his wonderful face,
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace
Give yourself to excelling in His word and in the ministry and evangelization of the Gospel when you are wearied in waiting for the things of the earth. God bless you!
Kristopher

======= Zig:

i must admit that once i read that God burnt Nadab and Abihu i was in shock. Leviticus has been pretty the same tune then that just happened and i just couldnt believe it. i asked a pal who i am doing the 1 yr year bible what they thought about it and they too could not come up with an answer. i think that simply put, if God has personally hand picked you and given you specific instructions, keep to them especially as they regarded the holiness of the tabernacle. think we should all respect Holy ground. When we are in church we should realize exactly where we are and in whose presence we are in. i was just amazed that God could do that.
and i am one who lives on seeking instant gratification and i realize this is sooo wrong. I pray that i change my ways and that i wait for the fruits that God and Jesus have planted in me to ripen fully. its my 1st year doing the one year bible and i thank you for what you are doing Mike.
Amen
Zig

======= Mitch:

Was at church and teaching most of yesterday:
But wanted to mention OT – (right side is side of strength in Judaism) anointing on right ear, right thumb, and right big toe of priests indicates: priests are to hear the word of God, work the word of God, and walk in the Word of God in strength. We as believers (priests) – do we do that consistently?
OT – deaths of Nadab and Abihu seem harsh. Note three things about God. He was very strict at the beginning of instruction on worship AND at the beginning of church in Acts. To those given much, much is expected (like obedience), and if God commands, then violating command is sin AND God takes sin very seriously (if a non- believer you should heed that warning and cut a deal with the judge while you can).
NT: so many references to Jesus as Deity so far in readings. Today more demons (before being sent into pigs) attest to the deity of Christ. In addition, during the storm disciples asked – ‘who is this man – even the winds and waves obey Him’? Huh???? Did they go to synagogue as youth – that man would be God – Psalm 107:29.
Mitch

======= Dee:

february 20th : In Leviticus 9:7-10:20, it was wrapped around offering: sin offering, burnt offering for Aaron, and his sons and community, but then a special gift “grain” offering offered for peace of the entire community. (Not the priest). The priest were in a high place, anointed. Very special and specific duties to carry out for the people. So, they carried the “spirit” and peace of God with them at all times, that is why they didn’t need a grain offering from them, however, they were told to eat what was left of “grain” offering as a special meal, unleavened in front of alter, as their reward.
It is sad when Nadab and Abihu were both possibly intoxicated and burnt the “wrong” kind of offering at the alter. What was even sadder to me, is to have a Father witness 2 of his 4 children disobey so harshly and be killed in front of him and not be able to show remorse. That is hard. However, like in the bible it says: The wages of sin is death. Death comes with a high price. And like you said Mike, you might not die for the first sin, or second, or 9th but watch out..when sin is crouching at your door, if you don’t succumb it and repent, turn and follow “The Way” watch out..death or heartache will ensue. Sin never pays well.
Mark 4:26-5:20
An amazing story: We receive parables, real illustrations to His disciples, storm, an intervention, and a healing and animals drowning all in one script. Jesus never spoke without using parables, familiarity and simple real life illustrations to every day people. He would describe it in laymen terms to his disciples. It is interesting..people were fearful of him, his disciples couldn’t understand or comprehend him and demons wanted to “out” him. What I always find interesting is His great authority. Like in the storm..he slept so peacefully when the boat was ebbing and flowing, crashing and bumping.. He got up, Peace! Be Still! I hear him in my mind and I think, Man, I wish I had that type of authority in my dailies! I am a school teacher in a middle school sector..and it’s hard. Students don’t want to focus, want to disrupt. I would love to walk in with that peace, and authority to say Peace! Be Still, and they knew..authority was speaking ..I love the teachings of Jesus!
Psalm 37:30-40 It proves time and time again that good prevails! The godly offer good counsel. They teach right from wrong. They make God’s law their own. They never slip from His path. Put hope in the Lord! Travel steadily on His path. He will honor You! Give you land. A wonderful future awaits for those honest and good. Those who love peace! The Lord rescues the godly, He is their fortress in times of trouble. He saves them. They find shelter in Him! Praise God!!
Proverbs: 10:6-7 The godly are showered with blessings! We have happy memories! yes amen.
Dee

Leviticus 7:28-9:6 + Mark 3:31-4:25 + Psalm 37:12-29 + Proverbs 10:5
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Old Testament – I found Leviticus chapter 7 verse 36 to be powerful as we read about a portion of the offerings going to the priests: “The LORD commanded that the Israelites were to give these portions to the priests as their regular share from the time of the priests’ anointing. This regulation applies throughout the generations to come.” I think this is something for us to consider today – most of us realize that a portion of our tithes and offerings to our churches goes to support our pastors, priests, ministers, clergy.  And I believe this is rightly so.  These clergy are doing holy work in our churches today.  And I know from first hand experience from my past that church ministry work is not easy work.  Yes, oftentimes it is joyful work and the most amazing & fulfilling work you can imagine.  But, other times it can be really tough work as you can find yourselves on the front lines of spiritual warfare and working with people at very low points in their lives.  So – I guess I say all of this to encourage you to not begrudge your clergy in your church for getting paid for their work.  Aaron and his sons were “paid” here in Leviticus – and I think it is still proper for clergy to be paid today.  (and trust me – most clergy that I know do not get paid an exorbitant amount by a long shot… 🙂   I guess, while I am on this subject, I am also a bit familiar with the house church model today – and I do believe there are some leaders in this movement that are probably not getting “paid” financially.  And I think this is great if you can sustain the model.  But, personally, I wouldn’t fault house church leaders for receiving compensation either.  It is holy work that our clergy do. I think fair compensation for this work is fair.  What do you think?

Today in Leviticus chapter 8 we read about the Ordination of the Priests.  Many of you will recall that we read something very similar to this chapter earlier this year in Exodus chapter 29 – click on this link to review Exodus 29.  In verse 14 today we read: “Then Moses brought in the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.”

Great commentary about Priesthood in the Old Testament is online at bible.org at this link.

New Testament – Mark chapter 3 verses 33-35 make an impact on me each time I read it: “Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”  This last sentence is a powerful proclamation from Jesus.  If we are obedient to God’s will in our life we are brothers and sisters and mothers of Jesus.  Pretty amazing to think about!  Jesus is not only our savior – but our brother.  And later he calls us friends.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary puts it this way – “It is a great comfort to all true Christians, that they are dearer to Christ than mother, brother, or sister as such, merely as relations in the flesh would have been, even had they been holy. Blessed be God, this great and gracious privilege is ours even now; for though Christ’s bodily presence cannot be enjoyed by us, his spiritual presence is not denied us.”

Mark chapter 4’s parable of the Farmer scattering seed is a parable that I am sure can convict each of us in various ways.  Verses 16 through 18 I am afraid can sometimes represent all too well the “soil” of our hearts… “The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don’t go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things, so no crop is produced.”  The crowding out of the Good News by the cares of this life and the desire for nice things is where I am afraid we miss the mark too often.  And when we succumb to theses cares & desires, indeed, no crop is produced.  However – I do pray that there are moments in life where we can see the amazing power & truth in verse 20: “But the good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest–thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”   I just pray for more consistency in our lives to live in verse 20 than in the previous verses…  How is the soil of your heart?  Which verses in this parable are you living in these days?  Are you receiving God’s Word into your heart?  Will you allowing God’s Word in your heart to produce a huge harvest?

Psalms – Psalm 37 verse 16 is powerful today – “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much.”  I don’t know what I can add to this…. I think you probably get it.  🙂  Do you live it?  Verse 23 is so amazing… “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.”  I don’t mean to infer that I am godly here… but, I will admit that there are times in my life where I really sense that God is directing my steps – and taking care of every detail.  And basically, it feels like I am sort of just going with God’s flow.  Things are just happening beautifully.  And I do sense the Spirit often during these times.  My sadness in this area is that I don’t realize that God is directing my steps all of the time.  And that he is delighting in every detail of my life – most of the time…  🙂  I pray you and I will come to a greater awareness of this in our lives each and every moment: “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 5 – “A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame” – for some reason reminds me of Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 2: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”   Is the hour of opportunity upon you now?  Will you stay awake for it?  Is now the favorable time?  Is now the day of salvation?  Are you awake?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the Big Daddy Weave song “Redeemed:”

Have you been redeemed? Click here for Redemption!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.” Psalm 37:16 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that you will lead a godly life. Pray that you will pursue righteousness over riches.

Comments from You & Question of the Day – I realize that my reflections above in the OT section on clergy at churches receiving compensation might be controversial in some ways.  What are your thoughts on your clergy receiving compensation?  What are your thoughts on others in other types of ministry receiving compensation?   Where do we draw the line of when ministry should be done with compensation or without compensation?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

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======= Ramona:

Leviticus 7:28-9:6
I don’t know why but the following was one of the verses that stood out to me in chapter eight, 5 Moses announced to them, “The LORD has commanded what I am now going to do!”
Why would God put this in the story because it seems clear from what has been written previously Moses did what God commanded Him to do? So why, after he called Israel to assemble and before Aaron and his son’s ordination, would God have Moses make this statement to the people? Was there something brewing in the minds of those Moses was called to lead? Back in Exodus when Moses’ Father-in-law advised him to appoint judges to administer decisions so Moses and the people wouldn’t be worn out waiting for Moses too decide every problem for them, God also called a “meeting” with Moses and the leaders letting them know that He wanted them to be a “kingdom of priests,” (Exodus 19:6) to Him as well as a holy nation. I may be wrong about this but my image or idea of priests is someone designated to hear from God for those who could or would not hear. This was an offer they turned down. (Exodus 20:19) Were they now trying claim the authority that came with the privilege of being a kingdom of priests, which they rejected and thus not entitled too? Moses did have a hard time with his people, people he and God would come to call stiff-necked.
In the same chapter, during the ordination ceremony, Moses does this, 24 Next he presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on the lobe of their right ears, the thumb of their right hands, and the big toe of their right feet. He then sprinkled the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar.
This is about hearing, working and walking in the light of the truth of the redemptive power of God that the blood represents: The ear to hear always and above ever voice that cries out the Truth of Wisdom, which is the Word of God; The hands to do the work of the Lord under the power of redemption; and the feet to remain steadfast along the path of redemption. Lord may I always hear Your Truths and then walk in the Way of Truth while my hands set to do the Work You have called and ordained me to do.
In the ninth chapter there is an important verse which is relevant for us today even while we walk under the New Covenant, and possibly has more weight because we have a covenant based on better promise (Hebrews 8:6).
Leviticus 9:
6 Then Moses told them, “When you have followed these instructions from the LORD, the glorious presence of the LORD will appear to you.”
We have a covenant that is based on Mercy and Truth, we don’t have to have or buy cattle, sheep and goats to cleanse us from unrighteousness; however, we are still expected to obey. Has my disobedience, my rebellion kept me from having the “glorious presence” of the Lord from before me?
Let the elders who perform the duties of their office well be considered doubly worthy of honor [and of adequate financial support], especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire. [Deut. 25:4; Luke 10:7.] (1 Timothy 5:17-18 AMP)
And,
For in the Law of Moses it is written, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares? [Deut. 25:4.] Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? (1 Corinthians 9:9-11 AMP)
As I read today’s text, the thoughts that are expressed in the above verses came into my mind. God is concerned about those amongst us who are charged with Feeding His Sheep with Spiritual Food, the Word. No cheap pieces of meat were to be given for the support of the ministry and those assigned to minister. Only the best was to be offered, fine flour, the choice cuts of meat, fine linen.
Too often we give our leftovers, our rummage to those who are scraping together, working second and third jobs to provide for their families so that they can do what God has called them to do, minister the Gospel.
Jan, you speak of the compensation given to those who minister in so-called Mega-Churches. I don’t know of any church that at its roots, its beginning, started out as a Mega-Church. We speak of large churches as if we were walking by one day and, “Oops, where did that building come from with all those folks.”
I attend a church that 28 years ago began as a storefront with four members, the pastor his wife and two of their kids, membership is now 25,000 plus. It is a mega-church because the numbers showing up for worship began to exceed the number of seats available. Abuse of power or authority can happen in any church, even a house church. I live in Brooklyn, NYC, a borough that has as one of its nicknames, The Borough of Churches. I attend my church despite the cracks I see, the problem people, the things that “appear” to be abuse of power because the pastor is devoted to teaching the unadulterated Word of God. And like King David, if one is open for rebuke, God will send a Nathan to rebuke and correct, and if need be bring judgment.
Compensation is always a sticky item to discuss for ministry and paid staff because how much is too much or too little is all relative based on the person doing the evaluation point of reference and background. In the end the person will have to answer to God and those giving to a Church that is not a “Store-house” as stated in Malachi 3:10. The bottom line is this, no matter where you attend Church or have your fellowship, if you are giving to God He will reward you, if you are giving to the Pastor, the Church or a Denomination or Ministry, well, you will be looking toward them and not God for your reward.
There are great old edifices in NYC, magnificent buildings that once held thriving congregations over one-hundred years ago, that are now in disrepair because membership cannot sustain the ministry. Why? Why is it that a part of NYC known as the Borough of Churches, has a church where 25,000 plus people pass by on Sunday and Tuesdays on their way to worship? If you grow grass, the sheep will come, not grass no sheep or you have a congregation of week emaciated sheep. There are blocks in Brooklyn where every building on the block is a church, and across the street are three-four liquor stores. I dare say that people are looking for a “spirit” of some kind even if it is only “bottle spirits” but are they finding the true Holy Spirit?
If people are flocking to a church that is not of God, that is on them based on a passage in Jeremiah (14:16), because people who are being deceived are a party to their own deception. If one is looking for Truth, it will be found (Knock, Seek, Ask …). Truth cannot hang around deception or falsehood.
If leadership is demanding more then you think is appropriate, then walk, find another pastor. No one can do to you what you don’t allow. If you can’t see an accounting of how the monies are spent, run don’t walk to another sheepfold because the one you are in has a hireling for an overseer.
Mark 3:31-4:25:
Jesus gave us a new understanding of “relatives” in the section, who and what they are. The New Birth has given us new genetic coding. So to speak we have been re-gene-rated. Our inheritance and our bloodline are now based on the shed Blood of the Lamb that was slain for the sin of the world and we will find our new relations with those who do the will of the Father.
There is something we may miss out on in our reading of the Parable of the Sower or Farmer or to be precise in the explanation that Jesus gives. This Parable is the key to all the other Parables and this is not about theological discussion or understanding this is by Jesus’ own words. Before explaining this Parable to His disciples Jesus makes a most telling statement in verse 13 of the fourth chapter,
13 “But if you can’t understand this story, how will you understand all the others I am going to tell?
This Parable deserves a serious study. There is probably more here than we have ever imagined and maybe we should ask God to reveal every nuance to us, not just something we study in a commentary but something to give us Divine Revelation in our hearts so that we “get it.”
To bring home the seriousness of this bit of scripture in Mark, it ends with this admonishment by Jesus,
22 “Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light. 23 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! 24 And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand–and even more, besides. 25 To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.”
This is a message we need to take heed of and quickly.
Psalm 37:12-29
Sometimes I can go so caught up in the unfairness of life as I see it that I fail miserably to hear and do what verse seventeen is saying.
For the strength of the wicked will be shattered,
but the LORD takes care of the godly.
I act as if this injustice, if not corrected by me, usually that injustice is directed toward me, then it won’t be corrected. I act as if God is a senile old man, a-has-been, who won’t see wrongs unless I point them out to Him. I shake my little fist and God demanding He intervene right now! “God what are you doing up there letting everything go to seed,” I shout. Yet the wicked will be shattered and I will be taken care of the way God has planned for me.
Proverbs 10:5
Am I a “wise” youth in God’s economic scale? Or am I sleeping away opportunities along the path God has directed me to walk?
Grace and peace,
Ramona

======= Cory:

Ramona,
You add to the Timothy passage meaning that isn’t present in the original. It’s a stretch too far to say the honor (“time” in the Greek) accorded those who care for (“proistemi”) their fellow saints is a wage of some sort. The words of the period used for pay are not present here. Also, Paul uses the same word, time elsewhere in this letter and again in his letter to the Romans (12:10), saying we (i.e. all believers) ought to honor one another. Surely this doesn’t mean we ought to pay one another. This is the analogy Paul is making. the working ox : food :: the laborer : a wage :: the elder : honor and respect. Also, the notion of an offical “office” of some sort is wholy absent from the Greek. Paul is using functional language; not positional.
Regarding the 1 Corinthians passage, Paul is speaking of the plowman and the thresher not the shepherd. He is talking about the evangelist and the apostle, those like him who sow the seeds of the Gospel and establish new churches in an area; not the shepherd who cares for the flock he or she is among.
Cory

======= Ramona:

Cory,
Both times Paul quotes from Deuteronomy regarding muzzling the ox. So if we want to pull straws then no matter how you break up the Greek word used, is Paul talking about Oxen in his reference to the passage in Deut.? Are you saying that a pastor is supposed to take a vow of poverty or not be compensated for overseeing the Sheep of God’s house? Note that when I wrote my comments I wrote them independent of reading anyone else’s’ comments.
As I stated at the beginning of my comments, those verses came to my mind while reading today’s Old Testament passage. Notice thatI do a lot of free association or brain storming, out loud.
Ramona

========= John:

Ramona and Cory,
I think you are both right.
It is not a stretch to include the idea of a “price” in the Gk. word “time”
1)a valuing by which the price is fixed
a)of the price itself
b)of the price paid or received for a person or thing bought or sold
2)honour which belongs or is shown to one
a)of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds
b)deference, reverence
Certainly Cory’s comparisons make sense, except that the food and wages are “Tangible” and the idea of honor and respect is “intangible”.
Matt 15:6 uses a derivation of “time” to talk about “honouring” parents. In 1Co6:20 and 1Co7:23 Paul uses “time” as “price”. Also in other places in Acts, so it is not without precedant, although most of the time it is used by Paul as Cory stated. (no pun intended)
David Jeremiah has talked about double honour as being both honour and financial compensation. A portion of “honour and respect” and a portion of “financial compensation”. Ergo a “double honour”.
If I go to a restaurant, I will pay for my meal (physical nourishment). If I am fed spiritual food at my place of worship, I have no problem with compensating the provider.
John

======= Chip:

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? 8 Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[b] Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
I Corinthians 9:7-14
In response to Cory, both here and in comments on my blog post:
I appreciate that viewpoint, but I think the entirety of the passage (beginning in verse 7) supports what I’ve said. To wit: Paul uses several “worldly” examples to support a Spiritual principle.
The soldier, the sower, and the shepherd all have a legitimate expectation of a material return for their labor. The Spiritual analogy applies to all three: those striving in Spiritual battle for Christ, those who plant the vineyard, and those who tend the flock.
All are servants of the Gospel, to be sure; but it is certainly supported Biblically that we should support them financially.
Chip

======= Cory:

I don’t want anyone to think I’m launching some sort of hit-and-run. I realize this is a sensitive issue, especially since the vast majority of professional ministers/clergy are (1) sincere in their faith, desire, and sense of calling; and (2) vastly underpaid for the work they are expected to do. I considered keeping my mouth shut, but without dialogue, how do we grow?
Ramona,
I understand you were the first to comment and take a position. I wasn’t “calling you out; just responding. I also understand yours was a “first-thoughts, thinking-out-loud” type of comment. It sounds like I came off as aggressive; my apologies. That said, there’s value in dialogue (even if we aren’t immediately – or ultimately – persuaded to the same postion,) so in that vein I responded once and am back to continue what I hope is a conversation and not a sparring match. So…
Yes, Paul is using the Deut. passage, which talks about oxen, as the foundation for his analogy. Where I think we go off, in in the application we draw from Paul’s analogy.
About pastors and poverty: Those who by virtue of their spiritual wisdom and maturity are recognised as overseers among us ought to work just like everyone else in the body. The NT knows nothing of a professional pastorate. (We must not confuse apostolic church-planting with oversight and shepherding within a church.)
Finally, I appreciate you “pushing back.” It helps me to think thru things more fully. It is a gift to me. I hope others are benefiting as well.
John,
Looking thru the NT usage of “time” again, I can give you a meaning of value (and in that sense price,) but I can’t go all the way to wage, particularly when Paul uses a more immediate term (“oyonion”) for wage elsewhere, even within 1 Cor. So, the passages you mention refer to the great value – the honor of Christ – which was given for us. We can only press wage into this meaning if we use an accounting metaphor to understand the work accomplished on the Cross. (I’m not saying that this isn’t a potentially useful metaphor; just that it is only a metaphor, one of several that can be useful.)
I think the Paul’s metaphor continues well: The ox and laborer perform physical labor, but the overseer performs spiritual labor. I realize that Paul makes a jump from spiritual labor to physical harvest in 1 Cor 9., but there Paul is talking about himself and his fellow apostolic workers; not the elders and overseers within a particular church.
Chip,
Again, I think we are wrong to extend Paul’s language and lump local overseers in with extra-local church-planters. The “we” here is Paul and his fellow apostolic workers. It isn’t the elders and overseers within the Corinthian church.
Cory

======= Ramona:

Cory,
Let us then agree to disagree. I have been journaling and questioning God long enough to know that when I’m wrong in the understanding of His Word, He comes in and the most unusual times (unusual for me but always on time for Him, too kind of bop me on my head.)
Ramona

======= Betty:

Just a quick note on the clergy receiving their payment from the church-Paul also makes note of this in I Corinthian 9. He relates that he is an apostle and as such has certain rights-however, he did not use those rights as he worked as a tentmaker to avoid the charge that he was using the gospel for personal gain as many false teachers were doing at this time. Guess not much has changed in 2000 years!
Another verse I just love is Psalms 37:23! I love to meditate on the idea that God delights in us! It is hard for me sometimes to understand the great love God has for us, I tend to get lost in the unworthy aspect of our beings-but every once in awhile God gives me a gift of revelation of His great love. I like to compare it to the way I feel about my children and now grandchildren. Watching them, I sometimes get upset because of their choices and/or mistakes that I so easily see; and yet, my love for them does not change because they have made a mistake, I love them because they are mine! -and I delight in them, especially when I know their love for me. How wonderful to realize that God set up our families so we would have a small inkling of the great love of our LORD!
Betty

======= Mick:

God directing my steps has moved me so much. Also, everyone’s great comments, what a blessing you all are. This one year bible journey is changing lives.
Mick

======== Micah Girl:

This morning I was totally awed by Aaron–the guy who not too long ago was making a golden calf and showing a tremendous lack of leadership–is now being ordained into serving the living God. He has been redeemed and is useful to God. Wow. What an encouragement that God is gracious and forgiving and uses flawed people for his holy purposes.
Micah Girl

======= Jan:

I don’t have a problem with pastors, teachers, apostles, evangelists, prophets,etc, being paid or getting compensation as you say. BUT…I came out of a Mega Church & have yet to go back into such an establishment. We are “the church” & some of us don’t get paid with money for what we do in His Name (I teach, preach, prophesy everday day when given the opportunity), but our compensation will be Eternal (as theirs will be also). We as “the Church” will be compensated eternally & that is what I am looking forward to. Anything that lasts for eternity is better than receiving what is temporal in the here & now.
Some Mega churches are actually run as a business & that quinches the Holy Spirit greatly because everthing is run on “a program” & God forbid that you deviate from the program & let the Holy Spirit take over. I know this is not true for all Mega Churches, but it is rare if it does happen (forgetting the program & letting God be God & take over the sermon/actions/behavior of the day). Quenching the Holy Spirit is not something we want to do…none of us. I have often wondered how hard the pastor’s heart has become that when the moving of the Holy Spirit is so evident & yet He is shut down because of time restraints…that is why I like the concept of the Home Churches that are becoming more prevelant as the days pass. In the End Times/Days…the Mega Chruches will not be standing, they won’t be allowed too, most everything will be hidden & underground anyway due to the pressure of being recognized as a Christian…much the same in Acts/Jesus’ Day.
Don’t mistake what I’m saying here…every pastor of a church should be paid, they have to pay their bills also; it is the “big business” of the Gospel that turns my stomach.
This is very greivous to me & the Holy Spirit & it is hard for me to sit under ones ministry when this is going on…I don’t. I can’t imagine how greived the Holy Spirit is if I’m so grieved myself. It truly breaks my heart…think about His heart breaking in this issue/circumstance.
Jan

======= John:

Compensation for Pastors,
I guess I am lucky. My pastor’s designated function is to “teach” the Word of God. The church is run by us (the body of Christ). Elders and Deacons meet and make decisions and take paths – we the church body vote to affirm or deny those paths. Perhaps this works, because we are relatively small to medium sized church.
I go to this place to worship: because they do Teach the Bible, I feel God in our midst during worship, and the leadership has been touched by God for their roles. (above three are my perceptions).
That being said, as I stated earlier when asked about “offerings”. I give. The leadership utilizes. If it is not utilized correctly, that is between them and God. On my part, I give because I am instructed (by God) to give back a portion of what was his from the beginning.
John

======= Stacey:

I am praising God today for Jesus words in Mark 4:9-12, 34, 35 where He explains that disciples (including us!) do have the ability to hear and understand beyond what the crowd perceives. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit is counselor and guide and that He does open up God’s word to those who choose to be Jesus disciples. Leviticus again reminds us of a Holy God. To approach Him we come the new and living way with sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus. After our initial salvation, we can press in and spend time with God and ask Him to explain that which we don’t understand. The miracle of it all is that He will receive us and He will teach us everything that we need to know for life and Godliness. 1 Cor 2 goes into depth on the subject. May God bless you all with more knowledge and wisdom that you might know Him better and better each day.
Stacey

======= Laura:

Well, here’s my two cents on the clergy compensation issue. First, I think the differentiation between clergy and laity is false. The NT supports the notion that all in the church are ministers and, indeed, priests (Rev. 1:6). That being said, there is a difference between those in professional ministry and those in volunteer ministry. Professional ministers are paid so that they can devote time to ministry. The need for professional ministers differs by church and community culture. There seems to be no scriptural mandate for professional ministry, though various accounts of Paul and apostles/evangelists/missionaries receiving monetary assistance leaves room for it. So, while the teaching in Leviticus certainly supports the notion of paid clergy, we must be sure to compare apples and apples.
In the OT there is a clear priesthood. In the NT this is not the case; all are priests (and, yes, I realize this is a Protestant perspective, but I also believe it to be scriptural). So, local congregations, if they determine that professional ministers are needed for effective ministry in their communities, should then pay their ministers a living wage. Yes, there is abuse—both in underpaid and overpaid professional ministers (though underpaid is more common)—so congregations must use wisdom. If the congregation functions effectively without professional ministers, that is good. If the congregation functions most effectively with professional ministers, that is also good.
Laura

======= Don:

My thought on this is that compensation is good in moderation. Paul took none, he prefered to work with his own hand doing secular things to maintain himself – tent making… But that was his personal choice, and he had no wife / children to support, we must remember. Some other apostles got some compensation, and again that was their choice. The scripture does say not to muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn, and “the labourer is worthy of his reward” – Deuteronomy 25, 1 Corinthians 9, and Timothy 5…
Fat cat pay is over the top for a christian worker though, I feel. If a minister has a really large organisation, I think he should still take only enough for his needs and plough the rest back into the ministry. If he had been doing some secular work which the Lord blessed to such a great extent, I am sure he would have given a lot to the work of the church anyway… But serving directly as God’s servant, the Lord Himself is his reward, and his provider, and the one who brings the increase and blesses his own work… And He has also laid aside a huge retirement home for his servants in heaven – plus the best reward of all, being in God’s presence and praising Him for all eternity! So should such a minister draw a huge salary? I don’t think so…
Don

======= Jenny:

The parable of the seed is in regards to the gospel of Jesus to unbelievers hearing the word. All true believers are those who had good soil, but it is up to us to cultivate and continue to grow in the Lord and bear fruit.
I want to share what my study bible says:
The “word” as referred to in v 14 is the salvation gospel. The responses:
“v 16. Receives it with gladness. An enthusiastic, emotional, yet superficial response to the gospel that does not take into account the cost involved.
v.17 No root. Because the person’s heart is hard like stony ground, the gospel never takes root in the individual’s soul and never transforms his life- there is only a temporary, surface change.
Tribulation and persecution. Not the routine difficulties and troubles with life, but specifically the suffering, trials, and persecutions which result form one’s association with God’s word.
Quickly fall away (or stumble): the superficial believer is offended, stumbles, and falls away when his faith is put to the test.
v.19 Cares of this world. A preoccupation with the temporary issues of this present age blinds a person to any serious consideration of the gospel.
v. 20 Hear…accept…produce a crop (bear fruit). Three present particles mark continuing action. Believers, in contrast to unbelievers, hear God’s word because God allows him to hear it. They “accept” it—they understand and obey because god opens their mind and heart and transforms their lives. The result is that they will produce spiritual fruit.”
Tomorrow we will read about the growing seed (in believers) which my study Bible says about vs. 26-29: this parable is recorded only by Mark and complements the parable of the sower by explaining in more depth the results of spiritual growth accomplished in good soil.
In Psalms, I’m just meditating on what promises to His followers:
“but the LORD upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither”
“For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever”
I simply LOVE these vs.:
23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm; . ———-> amen!
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand. —-> sooo true!
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken”
verse 25 often comes to my mind. I think God puts it on my heart when I’m worried, like He’s saying, be still and just rest in Me, I will take care of you. I have told you, as my child, I will never forsake you!
Also, since I am getting older, tho not old, I am seeing more n more. I am seeing people who have lived Godly reaping the fruit. I’m seeing the ungodly yielding bad fruit or reaping the consequences, n its heart breaking really.
Um, I’m not gonna get too deep into what I think should be done concerning compensating pastors because I don’t feel that’s my business, I give to the Lord. Of course the funds should be given to ministry work, missionaries, getting the word out. I go to a church where I fully trust them. My pastor is the shepard of my church and he feeds me. A good church isn’t even gonna ask ppl to give, but God will put that desire in their hearts.
Of course I’m against any type of fraud, playing on ppl’s emotions to get money like some of those phony televangelists who beg for money, use the money to get themselves multiple houses n fancy cars, etc. Those men are in God’s hands n woe to those who use God’s name in a way to manipulate ppl n steal from them! But a joyful giver will be blessed by God no matter what. God looks at our heart, that is my responsibility.
Jenny

======= Mae:

Verses that stood out for me today:
Leviticus 9:6 “And Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you”.
Mark 4:24 “Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more”.
Psalm 37:16 “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich”.
Psalm 37:18 “For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly”.
Proverbs 10:5 “A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace”.
Reading Psalms gave me the chills, I love Psalms so much!!!! I love the points that are made in Psalms. It’s all so true and has such wonderful messages that make you think, make you wonder and make your heart warm.
Mae

======= Phil:

The discussion on paying clergy made me think more about the readings a week ago regarding the tabernacle. The OYB daily companion says that the value of the gold used to build the tabernacle was around $10M in today’s dollars. Being a natural tight-wad, this struck me as ridiculous. Can you imagine if your church wanted to raise $10M to build a statue or a cross? While this isn’t truly analagous, it’s more a just thought-provoking question for me.
What I take from this is Yes, it’s OK (in fact it’s good) to be extravagant on things that really matter. I need to spend money to create traditions, rituals and heirlooms that can have a lasting impact on my family, friends and fellow saints. I’m reminded of my wedding last year that cost a fortune… and was worth every penny.
Phil

======= Bill:

I think that people who perform “staff” work should be compensated in some sort of order of preference. The secretary/office manager, the treasurer, and the worship leader are some of the more important positions because they require weekly (at least) work, while other people usually work for a while and then take some time off.
Bill

======= Elizabeth

Hello Mike and Everyone,
Interesting question today with regard to compensation for folks in the ministry. I don’t “begrudge” paying anyone for their work in the ministry–it’s certainly hard and worthwhile work!
I do think it can muddy motives in certain situations and that concerns me a little. For example, our Children’s Ministry offers a stipend for certain leadership positions. Children’s Ministry is notorious for being labor intensive and difficult to retain volunteers. BUT, I think that people should be moved by their HEART to serve the Lord in this capacity–feel like the stipend (though paltry) can muddy the intent of one’s heart. Just my impressions here…not trying to start a debate! : )
On another note, I am working diligently to better understand Leviticus. My husband and I have been commenting on the physical realities of all these animal sacrifices–so much blood and fire. Yuck–the place must have stunk! (not trying to be irreverent, just thinking about what it would be like to spread that blood over the sides of the altar, on the curtain, poured at the base….all that fat and burning)
I have found several comments worthwhile in my commentaries/bible.org reading with regard to Leviticus–here are some of them:
****************
I have been enjoying reflecting on the facets of “the diamond” of Christ as our sacrifice….
“God has devoted much space in His Word to the offerings and their ordinances because they are important to Him. Here in beautiful imagery the Person and work of His Son can be seen in minute detail. Like the different facets of a diamond, these types all reflect the resplendent glory of Him “who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God” (Heb_9:14).”
-Believer’s Bible Commentary
*****************
I like this thought below about “newness”—God longs to keep our relationship and dependence on Him a “fresh” and “new” thing—reminds me of His philosophy with manna too:
“Anything remaining after two days had to be burned (v. 17); to eat such meat would cause the person to be “cut off,” meaning excommunicated or removed from the privileges of the people of Israel. “This shows,” John Reid writes, “that communion with God must be fresh and not too far removed from the work of the altar.”
-Believer’s Bible Commentary
*****
Great point here by Deffinbaugh—in our culture, we’d rather debate and take a consensus vote to determine what is sinful–but that’s not the point!:
“Sin is that which God defines as evil.
Some have tried to show a good reason for every prohibition. For example, they would try to demonstrate that the “unclean” foods of the Bible were those which would be detrimental to a society which had no refrigeration, or whatever. I think this misses the point. Sin is whatever God says is sin, whether or not we have a good explanation for why it is evil. Obedience is best evidenced by our willingness to do something which we would rather not do, for reasons we don’t understand, simply because God says so. Some sins of the Old Testament are arbitrary, in my opinion, and purposefully so, to teach the people of God to trust and to obey a God whose thoughts are higher than the thoughts of men.”
-Deffinbaugh
Elizabeth

======= Luch:

Re finding a church where there is a singular ‘senior or lead pastor’ is something i find woefully lacking in the New testament. In fact, i wonder if a lot of our distress in our churches these days is that we have put a weight on singular leaders that the Lord never intended but now we have become so dependent on this ‘model’ or ‘approach’ that we have made it ‘the way’ to church growth (another distressing term)
Amazing to me how we tend to resort to old covenant models of leadership. I have no doubt we can learn in a descriptive way about leadership from the OT. Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, Esther, so many examples but not one of them is laid down as being ‘prescriptive leadership models for new covenant folks’.
in any case, I don’t want to argue about this. I think it’s safer to live in an imperfect church context with a plurality of leaders as I believe we see most of in NT as opposed to an approach that identifies a church by ‘its pastor’. I have yet to see one example in the NT of a church that was led by a MAN or WOMAN. oh ya, there is one i think in 3 john. His name is Diotrephes(3 John 9) and all it says is that ‘he loves to be first’.
People will argue that Peter was like a lead pastor. Maybe those folks should read 1 peter 5:1-4 where peter addresses the elders “to the elders among you I appeal as a fellow elder..”
Operative phrase “as a fellow elder’ not ‘chief elder’. He says later ‘when the Chief Shepherd’ appears…” There is really only one Head of the Church and it’s not your pastor or my pastor. It’s the Lord Jesus Christ and the rest of us are his ‘under shepherds’. Having said that, Hebrews 13:7 speaks of Obeying your leaders. Doesn’t say ‘leader’. Plural.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 says to respect
our leaders and hold ‘them’ in high regard because of ‘their work’. Often the terminology is in the ‘plural’. I don’t believe the apostle Paul was the ‘lead or senior pastor’ of anything.
And having said all this, I do believe that ‘elders who work hard at preaching and teaching are worthy of double honour’ which means ‘pay those those who are investing the majority of their time in a vocational way to ministry. But this doesn’t mean that their ‘work’ is more important than anyone else’s. It’s all ministry if we are doing it in Jesus’ name and doing it in a way where ‘whether we eat or drink, do whatever you do to the glory of God.’
Luch

======= Christina:

Mike, in regards to the OT reading today, in my heart
if God instituted it then that is the way it should be. God never changes. He knew back then that this could be abused but He made this His rule! Personally, I’m sure that there is greed out there but I have never known a “rich” pastor personally. God bless you! You are doing such a great job and I really appreciate all your hard work!
Christina

======== Steve:

Leviticus 7:28-9:6
As I thought about the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, I wondered how this applies to me. Then it hit me, even if we’re not a priest or pastor, we still have a ministry and responsibility. The description of the clothes the priest wore distinguishing him from ordinary people applies to us also, as Christians we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, what can be more distinguishing than that? This is holy work; we’re to present ourselves holy and blameless before the Lord, dedicated and set apart, weaned from the currents of this world. Our holy duties are to walk in the spirit, humble ourselves before the Lord and produce fruit that affect those around us in Godly ways. Our offering is to present ourselves before the Lord God, holy and blameless; this is our sweet soothing aroma that pleases Him.
Steve

======= Jennifer:

I think paying church clergy is required and we should give. The Psalm we read today provide enough support for this. We are all called to speak what is whispered to us, but for those called to minister and lead we must provide for them with a grateful and thankful heart. I agree with Ramona, church can be anywhere a storefront, a mega church, or a house, but it must be founded on the word.
Jennifer

====== Neil:

I believe that the people who minister the word faithfully should be remunerated well. Where the model breaks down for me is in the area of tele evangelists. Tele evangelists can serve people who have no way of going to a church and participating in the life of other christians. However, when they take and ask for more and more and yet their yield is low and their caring is also low and their prophesies are untrue, then these tarnish the name of Christ. Unfortunately, the general public see Christians through this prism which is out of step of how everyday Christians go about living and caring for others.
Neil

======= Celia:

I am in agreement with Neil and Jennifer; Ministers need to survive and support their family too so I don’t have any problem with them being paid a salary. It is unfortunate that a lot of people think they profit (enrich) themselves with the tithes and they don’t see how not only the immediate community but other organizations benefit from this.
Celia

======= Jeff:

The parable of the sower caused me to look further at the question: Why did Jesus speak in parables anyway?
1. One reason is certainly provided in verse 9 today: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” In other words, just like the point of the parable of the sower, Jesus knows that some people will listen to and understand and accept into our hearts the words of God; while many will not. What are some other reasons He spoke in parables?
2. By speaking indirectly, He gave his enemies insufficient grounds to arrest Him for blasphemy.
3. To fulfill Old Testament prophecy: see for example His reference in verse 12 in today’s reading from Isaiah 6:9,10 and also Psalms 78:1-4
These are three reasons I can think of, but there are probably others as well.
Godspeed to All
Jeff

===== Bev:

How much more do we remember when told in a parable? We also understand better with a visual in our minds. Jesus was a most excellent speaker and teacher. Ministers have a right to payment in order to do their best work. Some however do not take pay and trust in God to provide. Probably a matter between them and God.
Bev

======= Bob:

Pastor Wages: Quick word on my pastor who used to be an auto mechanic making $45/hr. Now if you count his 60hr week, he probably makes $5/hr as a minister. I asked him once what is the hardest thing you do? His reply: Ministry. Why does one do this then? If you have never had the “fire in your gut” feeling towards what God has called you for, unfortunately, I don’t think you will understand.
Bob

======== Russ:

Our church chooses to be open about its finances. I like this, everyone can see how our offerings our spent. If someone doesn’t agree with it, then they are free to go to some other church. I believe this helps keep the focus on God and not on people.
Russ

======= Joyce:

Mark 3:31-4:25
What privilege and what joy that anyone who does God’s will is Jesus’ brother and sister and mother!
Thank God for this privilege!
I appreciate the opportunity today to reflect on the condition of my heart:
Are “the cares of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for nice things” crowding out God’s Truth?
Or am I humble, teachable, and accepting of God’s teaching, that I may bear fruit for Him?
May it more often be the latter!
Sincerely,
Joyce

======= Jill:

Mark chapter 3 verses 33-35 make an impact on me each time I read it: “Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” This really sums up our earthly relationships! We need to relinquish control of family and rem we are a part of Gods family. Brother and sister in Christ. End of story. Although we hold tightly to our family connections. I’ve experienced this first hand and know God has bigger plans and can’t wait for my earthly family to meet all my needs
Jill

======= Barry:

I’m completely supportive of paid professional trained clergy. I see it is scriptural to support those that dedicate their lives to the ministry.
However, I have completely divorced myself from professionally led congregations where the paid staff claim special privileges, titles, and powers. Jesus said not to call anyone teacher, pastor, or father for there is only one teacher, pastor, or father. When a paid congregation member lead worship they do not have special God given powers to forgive sins or administer the sacraments.
When we allow this to happen we set up women and men to gods and they ain’t. Don’t do it.
Barry

======= Charles:

Compensation is clearly ok, how much is the question. “What is fair?” ultimately leads to trust in the godliness of leadership. If trust is lost, then people walk away. However, just to point out that Jesus attended and gave/paid as required to the Jewish temple – a leadership he criticized for its corruption. He even praised a widow who gave everything she had to this corrupt institution (which we will read later in Mark 12). He did not say to the widow, stop giving here and save your money, and go somewhere else. So it would seem our attitude before God is most important.
Charles

======== Robert:

Leviticus
Ramona I like your take on church. A couple of years ago our family went from a 150 member church to one of 2000 members when we moved to another city. Each has different pros and cons. Its what you make of it and as long as God is there, worship is possible. I am so blessed because we have choices. I do enjoy comparing the various leadership roles each has. A very hard job. I can’t imagine the strange sacrifice rituals described here and then God patiently watching every minute detail. I always wonder how the people around the Tabernacle felt as they smelled that delicious aroma of a Texas Barbeque going on. Sometimes, I envy our Ministers with all the perks they get. LOL.
Robert

======= Dee:

Lev 7:28-9:6
So Aaron and his sons are set apart and partake in peace offerings-They have a rightful share-as being set apart-as priests.
Awe-the dressing of Aaron in his priestly robes , and then the priestly robes on Aaron’s sons-They are preparing them for priesthood.
Mark 3:31-4:25
This is the section where so many were confused. When Jesus mother’ and brothers came to see him and he looked around in astonishment – who are my mothers & brothers ?
Looking around he said you are my mother n brothers-anyone who does willof Father is my mother, brother, &sister.
That created a very confusing thought in lots of hearts – however he taught wherever he went using parables.
Jesus wants us to have understanding and listen- Be a light for all to see.
Come to him with open hearts, minds, and clean hands
Ps 37:12-29
The wicked will get their day in court(so to speak)
It is better to be godly with little than rich and evil.
The Lord takes care of the innocent.
Prov 10:5
Be prepared and harvest during summer don’t slumber!
Dee