February 25th One Year Bible Readings

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.  Jeff Miller from Bible.org's commentary on Mark chapter 7 is at this link.

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 God: Psalm 41 verse 1 reminded me of the fantastic song by Casting Crowns called "If we are the Body."

Are you the Body?  Click here to be part of the Body!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 NIV

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

Comments

[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.

[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.

[Kim]

Oops, just wanted to add, 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.

[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]

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!

[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

[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.