May 11 -- "Atonement: Cleansing from Sin"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 16 

"Atonement: Cleansing from Sin"

Today’s verse refers to the Day of Atonement, a special day set apart for My people Israel to make atonement for their sins. On this day, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle and make offerings to Me on behalf of the people. This was a solemn and important day, as it symbolized the forgiveness and cleansing of sins.

As your Heavenly Father, I want you to understand the significance of this verse for your life today. While you may not be required to observe the Day of Atonement as the Israelites were, the principle of atonement and cleansing is still relevant to you. Just as the high priest made offerings on behalf of the people, I have provided a way for you to be cleansed from your sins through my Son, Jesus Christ.

When you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness, you are made clean before Me. This is not something that you can earn or achieve on your own, but rather it is a gift that I freely offer to you through the sacrifice of my Son. Through him, you can be reconciled to me and experience the fullness of my love and grace.

I want you to recognize the importance of confession and repentance in your life. When you confess your sins to me and turn away from them, you are cleansed and made new. I want you to live a life that is characterized by humility and a willingness to admit your faults and seek forgiveness.

Remember, my child, that I love you and desire for you to experience the fullness of life that comes from being in relationship with me. Confess your sins to me, seek forgiveness, and walk in the freedom and joy that comes from being made clean before me through the sacrifice of my Son, Jesus Christ. He is your Atonement.

May 10 -- "Spiritual Cleanliness"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 15

"Spiritual Cleanliness"

My child, I am the LORD God, and I speak to you now through my word in Leviticus 15:31.

This verse was a reminder to my people, Israel, to keep themselves pure and holy, especially in matters related to bodily fluids and discharges. I gave them these laws not to burden them but to protect them from physical and spiritual harm and to keep them close to me.

As my child, I want you to recognize the importance of spiritual cleanliness in your life. While you may not be subject to the same laws as the Israelites, you are still called to keep yourself pure and holy before me. This means avoiding anything that could defile you spiritually, such as impure thoughts, words, and deeds.

I want you to understand that the principle behind this commandment is still relevant today. Just as physical cleanliness was important to My people Israel, so spiritual cleanliness is important to you. I want you to live a life that is separate from the uncleanness of sin and the world, for these things can defile you and draw you away from me.

This principle of spiritual cleanliness is not simply about following rules and regulations. Rather, it is about having a heart that is devoted to me and seeking to honor me in all that you do by the power of the Holy Spirit. When you seek to live a life that is pure and pleasing to Me, you will experience the fullness of My love and grace, and you will be a light to those around you.

So, be vigilant in guarding your heart and mind from anything that could defile you spiritually. Avoid impure thoughts, words, and deeds, and seek the Holy Spirit to enable you to live a life that is pleasing to Me. When you do this, you will remain close to Me, and I will bless you with my presence and My peace.

May 9 -- "Preventing and Healing Spiritual Diseases"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 14

"Preventing and Healing Spiritual Diseases"

My beloved child, I am the LORD God, the one who has created you and loves you more than anything in this world. In Leviticus 14:59, I spoke to my people through Moses and gave them instructions on how to handle various types of skin diseases and mildews that could cause harm to themselves and others.

I wanted my people to take these matters seriously and to be diligent in their efforts to prevent the spread of these diseases. I also wanted them to understand that these diseases were not just physical, but also spiritual in nature.

As my child, I want you to understand that this passage is not just about physical diseases, but also about the spiritual diseases that can harm your soul. Just as my people were instructed to be diligent in preventing the spread of physical diseases, I want you to be diligent in preventing the spread of spiritual diseases in your life.

These spiritual diseases can include things like envy, anger, bitterness, hatred, and other sins. They can harm your soul and prevent you from experiencing the fullness of life that I have in store for you.

Therefore, I want you to be vigilant in guarding your heart and mind against these spiritual diseases. I want you to seek Me daily in prayer and Meditation, and to surround yourself with positive influences that will help you grow and thrive.

Remember that I am always with you, and that I have the power to heal all of your wounds, both physical and spiritual. Trust in Me, and let my love and grace guide you on your journey towards wholeness and healing.

May 8 -- "Separated and Alone"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 13:31-59 

"Separated and Alone"

In ancient Israel, those who were diagnosed with leprosy were considered unclean and were required to live outside the camp, away from other people. This was to prevent the spread of the disease and to maintain the purity of the community.

Today’s passage describes the social isolation and exclusion that someone with leprosy experienced – “he shall live alone.” This can be seen as an illustration of the spiritual separation and disconnection that can result from sin.

In the Bible, there are several instances where leprosy is used as an illustration of sin (e.g. Isaiah 1:4-6). Leprosy was a serious, debilitating disease that could cause physical disfigurement and social isolation. This made lepers outcasts and prevented them from participating in the worship and social life of the community. Before they were allowed to return to the camp, they were required to undergo cleansing rituals and be declared “clean” by the priests, a declaration that their disease was cured.

Similarly, sin can also cause spiritual disfigurement and isolation. Sin separates us from God and from the community of believers. It can cause us to feel ashamed and alone and prevent us from experiencing the joy and fellowship of Christian community.

In the New Testament, Jesus healed many people who had leprosy, which symbolized His power to heal spiritual sickness and restore people to the community. Just as He healed the physical bodies of those with leprosy, he also heals the spiritual condition of those afflicted with sin who come to him in faith. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  The good news for us is that we can be declared “clean” from our sin by our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Oh, what joy surrounds those whose disease of sin has been cured!

Your sin can have a significant impact on your relationships with other believers and on your ability to live in community with them. It is important to confess your sins to God and to those you have wronged, seek forgiveness, and strive to live lives that honor God and build up the community of believers.

May 7 -- "Law of the Leper"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 13:1-30 

"Law of the Leper"

Leviticus chapters 13 & 14 contain a set of detailed regulations given by God to the Israelites regarding the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy, a contagious skin disease that was prevalent at the time. While the “Law of the Leper” may seem woefully out-of-date to us, keep in mind that every word of God is truth (Proverbs 30:5) and “is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We can learn some very practical truths that are relevant to us in modern times from these chapters.

Leprosy is often seen as a symbol of sin in the Bible because it is a contagious disease that can spread and cause physical and social isolation, similar to the way sin can spread and lead to spiritual separation from God and others.

The law emphasized the importance of confession and repentance. When someone was diagnosed with leprosy, they were required to announce their condition to others and live outside the camp or city, which was a form of confession and acknowledging their impurity. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sins, confessing them to God and others, and seeking forgiveness and healing.

The purification ceremony in the Law of the Leper emphasizes the need for spiritual cleansing and restoration. The person who had been declared clean was sprinkled with blood, oil, and water, which symbolized the cleansing power of God and the need for atonement for sin. This emphasizes the importance of seeking forgiveness and restoration through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Overall, the Law of the Leper serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for confession, repentance, and spiritual cleansing. It also points to the ultimate solution for sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness and restoration that He offers to all who believe in Him.

May 6 -- "Be Holy for I am Holy"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 11 & 12 

"Be Holy for I am Holy"

♪ “Holiness, holiness is what I long for; Holiness is what I need; Holiness, holiness is what You want from me”♪ *

God's holiness is a central aspect of His nature, and it is one of the key attributes that sets Him apart from everything else in the universe. It is also something He wants to be an attribute of our lives.

The holiness we are to exhibit is not our own, but the holiness of Christ in us. We are not holy and no amount of human effort can make us so. We can no more make ourselves holy than a dead man can make himself alive. We need the work of Christ in us if we are to realize the challenge of being holy for He is holy. It is Christ in us Who will manifest His holiness if we will but yield our flesh to Him. This is not a human operation, it is a spiritual one brought about by the work of God deep within our soul.

Becoming holy is a two part process: God’s part and our part. Our part is to stay out of God’s way – to yield and surrender to Him. When we put ourselves under His care, we surrender our own ideas, will, and pride to Him. His part is to transform us into the holy image of Jesus Christ. This is not a once-and-for-all transaction, but a daily, moment-by-moment transition from reliance on our flesh to control by His Spirit.

If you and I want to be made holy, then we must willingly surrender ourselves to His care and actively seek the Spirit’s work of transformation. Holiness is God’s gracious work. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It’s His loving posture toward all people. God does not make a person holy because they are worthy or good; God makes us holy because of His mercy and our faith in Him. This means that holiness is God’s free gift (Ephesians 2:8).

Making us holy is a work that the Holy Spirit initiates and sustains (Galatians 3:1–3; 5:16–18). And He won't stop this work until we are complete in Christ. Philippians 1:6 says, "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

* Scott Underwood: “Take My Life (Holiness)” © Copyright 1994 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing (ASCAP)

May 5 -- "Making a Clear Distinction"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 9 & 10

"Making a Clear Distinction"

Today’s verse is a command to differentiate between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. This command was necessary because the Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart and distinct from the nations around them, and the priests were responsible for maintaining the purity of the tabernacle and the offerings made there.

The principles contained in this verse still have relevance for us as modern-day Christ-followers. We too are called to live lives that are holy and set apart for God. The Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy." We are called to reflect the holy character of God in our lives and to pursue holiness in all that we do.

One way we can do this is by making a distinction between what is holy and what is common. "Holy" refers to things that are set apart for God's service and have a special spiritual significance while "common" refers to things that are ordinary or commonplace, without any special spiritual connotation. This means that we need to be intentional about the things we allow into our lives, such as the media we consume, the people we spend time with, and the activities we engage in.

Similarly, we are called to make a distinction between what is clean and what is unclean. In the Old Testament, certain foods and activities were considered unclean, but in the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). However, there are still things that can defile us, such as sexual immorality, greed, and anger (Mark 7:20-23). We need to avoid these things and pursue righteousness and purity.

Finally, we are called to make a distinction between what is “of God” and what is “of the world.” The Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” We need to be discerning and wise in our choices, seeking to follow God's will and live according to his commands.

Leviticus 10:10 reminds us of the importance of living a holy and set-apart life, of making a clear distinction between what is of God and what is of the world, and of pursuing righteousness and purity. As Christ-followers, we are called to reflect the character of God in our lives and to live in a way that honors Him and the holiness that is fundamental to His nature.