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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7-IAFogxcM
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
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 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.
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“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
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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
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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
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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
