May 17 -- "The Sabbath Convocation"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 23

"The Sabbath Convocation"

The Bible contains many words and phrases that are not familiar to many of us, and which are not really part of our everyday conversations. One such word is “convocation.” In the Old Testament, the word "convocation" was used to refer to a sacred assembly or gathering of the people of Israel for the purpose of worship, instruction, and celebration of religious festivals.

Today’s verse outlines the importance of the Sabbath day to the people of Israel. God commanded them to set aside the seventh day of the week as a day of rest and worship, and to refrain from work and other secular activities. The Sabbath convocation involved gathering together as a community to worship God and hear from His Word. The people would come together to sing hymns, pray, and hear the reading of God’s laws.

As Christians, while we are no longer under the strict requirements of the Old Testament law, we are still called to honor God with our time and to regularly set aside a time for rest and worship.

In the New Testament, Jesus himself affirmed the importance of the Sabbath when he said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This means that the Sabbath is a gift from God for our benefit, to help us rest and recharge, and to draw us closer to Him.

For modern-day Christ-followers, observing a weekly Sabbath can help us prioritize our relationship with God and our spiritual well-being. This could mean setting aside a day each week for rest, worship, and reflection, or finding other ways to intentionally create space for God in our busy lives. It also means we should take time regularly to gather with our fellow believers to sing hymns, pray, and hear the teaching of God’s Word.

Ultimately, the principle behind this commandment is to recognize that God deserves our full attention and devotion. By setting aside a time for rest, worship, and holy “convocations” (gatherings), we can honor Him and deepen our relationship with Him.

May 16 -- "God's Will: Your Sanctification"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 22

"God's Will: Your Sanctification"

When the Lord declares, "I am the LORD who sanctifies you," He is reminding us of two things: (1) that it is His will for us to be sanctified (set apart); and (2) that He is the One who does the sanctifying. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us clearly, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” In this passage, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers in Thessalonica to live a life that is pleasing to God and set apart from sin. He emphasizes that God's will for their lives is that they be sanctified, or made holy and set apart for His purposes.

In the New Testament, the word "sanctification" comes from the Greek word "hagiasmos," which means to be made holy or consecrated for God's purposes. In other words, sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ and living a life that is set apart from sin and the world and dedicated fully to God's will.

When Paul says that sanctification is the will of God, he is emphasizing that it is not an optional part of the Christian life. Rather, it is an essential part of our relationship with God and a key aspect of His plan for our lives.

Ultimately, sanctification is not something we can achieve on our own. It is a work of God's grace in our lives, as we yield ourselves to His will and allow Him to work in us by His Holy Spirit. “I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” As we seek to live a life that is set apart for God's purposes, we can trust that He will guide us and enable us to become the sanctified people He has called us to be.

Remember that sanctification is a process that takes time, but it is a journey that is well worth the effort. As you let the Holy Spirit have His way in you, He will see to it that you grow in holiness and love. By this transforming process you will become a shining example of Christ to those around you. You will be a blessing to others and a light in a dark world.

May 15 -- "Sanctify Him"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 21

"Sanctify Him"

The word “sanctify” means to set apart as sacred; to consecrate; to dedicate. In today’s verse, the LORD calls upon the Israelites to set apart (sanctify) for God’s purposes the ministers and priests who serve among them.

The call to sanctification in Leviticus 21:8 applies to pastors and church leaders in the same way that it applied to Israel’s priests and ministers. As spiritual leaders of their congregations, pastors are responsible for leading and guiding their flocks in the ways of God. This involves teaching and preaching the Word of God (“offering the bread of your God”), providing pastoral care and counseling, and leading the congregation in worship and prayer.

To effectively carry out this important role, pastors must be set apart and consecrated for God's purposes. They must strive to live lives that reflect the character of Christ, pursuing holiness and righteousness in all that they do. This means avoiding behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's will and seeking to emulate the character of Christ in their relationships, their personal lives, and their ministries by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, pastors are called to be examples to their congregations, modeling what it means to live a life that is dedicated to God's service. This involves cultivating a deep and abiding personal relationship with God through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word, as well as seeking out opportunities to serve and minister to others.

Ultimately, the call to sanctification serves as a reminder to pastors that they are called to a higher standard of living than the average person. They are called to lead their congregations in the ways of God, and in order to do so effectively, they must be set apart and consecrated for His purposes. By pursuing sanctification, pastors can bring glory to God, inspire their congregations, and fulfill their calling to serve in His name.

Take a moment now to pray for the pastors and church leaders amongst you. Dedicate them to God and pray for His anointing upon their ministry.

May 14 -- "Set Apart for a Special Purpose"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 20

"Set Apart for a Special Purpose"

This verse reminds us that we are set apart for a special purpose (the word “holy” means separate, set apart). We are called to be holy because our God is holy. We are not meant to blend in with the crowd or conform to the ways of the world, but rather to stand out as shining examples of God's love and grace.

Being holy simply means being set apart for God's purposes and living in a way that reflects His character. Here are a few practical ways you can pursue holiness in your everyday life:

Spend time with God: Make it a priority to spend time in prayer and reading God's Word each day. This will help you grow closer to Him and better understand His will for your life.

Choose your words carefully: Be mindful of the words you speak and strive to speak words that build others up and honor God.

Practice self-control: Whether it's in your thoughts, your words, or your actions, seek to exercise self-control in all areas of your life. This means avoiding things that are harmful to you or others and pursuing things that are good and beneficial.

Love others: Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and this is a key part of pursuing holiness. Seek to show love and kindness to those around you, even when it's difficult.

Seek forgiveness: When you fall short of God's standards, be quick to seek forgiveness and make things right. This is an important part of growing in holiness and maintaining a healthy relationship with God.

Full devotion: It has been said, “To live holy for God is to live wholly for God.” God is seeking those who will fully and completely dedicate themselves to pursuing Him and the holiness He desires.

Remember, pursuing holiness is a journey, not a destination. It's something that we must continually grow into as we seek to be like Him and reflect His character in our lives.

May 13 -- "Embracing God's Justice"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 19

"Embracing God's Justice"

Justice is a central aspect of who our God is. He is just and fair in all His dealings. Today’s verse remind us that He expects His children to treat others with the same sense of justice and fairness. This means that you should not show favoritism or bias towards anyone, regardless of their social status or wealth. You should always strive to be impartial and treat others with respect and dignity.

This verse speaks to the importance of justice and fairness in our interactions with others, especially in the context of legal proceedings. I encourage you to embrace these values and to apply them to your daily life.

Today’s verse instructs us not to do any injustice in court. This means we should not show favoritism or bias towards anyone, regardless of their social status or background. We should strive to be impartial and fair in all our interactions, especially when we are called upon to make judgments or decisions that affect others.

The passage also cautions us not to be partial to the poor or defer to the great. This means we should not show favoritism towards those who are less fortunate nor toward those who are in positions of power and influence. Instead, we should judge each person on the basis of their actions and character, not their social status or wealth or fame or appearance.

The LORD here calls us to judge our neighbor in righteousness. This means we should make judgments that are fair and just, guided by the principles of righteousness and God's laws, not human philosophies or personal opinions.

Know that our Lord’s justice and fairness are perfect and unchanging. As His followers, we must learn to trust in His justice, follow His laws, and apply that same justice and fairness in all our dealings with others.

May 12 -- "It is the Blood"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 17 & 18

"It is the Blood"

In Leviticus 17:11, we see a profound truth that speaks to the very core of our faith – it is the blood that makes atonement for sins. Atonement is the action of God whereby He covers or wipes clean our sin, thus enabling us to be reconciled to a right relationship with Him.

It's important to understand the context of this verse. The book of Leviticus is primarily concerned with the regulations and instructions for the Israelites regarding their worship and relationship with God. Chapter 17 deals specifically with the proper way of offering sacrifices, and this verse emphasizes the importance of blood in the sacrificial system. The shedding of blood was necessary to demonstrate the seriousness of sin and its impact on our relationship with God.

The phrase "the life of the flesh is in the blood" is a powerful statement that highlights the significance of blood in sustaining life. In the context of sacrifices, the blood of the animal represented its life and was offered as a substitute for the life of the sinner. This practice pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered his life on the cross to atone for our sins and give us eternal life.

I want to emphasize the importance of understanding and reflecting on the significance of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. We must never take for granted the high price that was paid for our redemption. It is only through the blood of Jesus that we can find forgiveness for our sins and be reconciled with God.

I also want to encourage you to live in a way that reflects your appreciation for the sacrifice of Christ. Let us walk in obedience to God's commands, knowing that our actions are a reflection of our gratitude for his grace and mercy. We should seek to grow in our relationship with God, spending time in prayer and studying his Word, so that we can better understand His will for our lives.

May God's grace and peace be with you always as you seek to live a life that honors and glorifies Him.

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.