May 22 -- "The Tithe is His"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 27

"The Tithe is His"

This verse is speaking about the practice of tithing, which was a way for the Israelites to give back to God a portion of what He had blessed them with. The word "tithe" means to give a tenth or 10 percent of one's income or resources, as an offering or donation to God. In this case, the Israelites were to give a tenth of their agricultural crops. The tithe was considered holy to the Lord and was to be given to support the work of the priests and Levites who served in the temple.

For the Israelites, tithing was a way to acknowledge God's sovereignty over all things, including their resources and finances. It was also a way to express their dependence upon God and their gratitude for His provision. Keep in mind that the tithe was not considered giving God something that belonged to the people, it was simply giving to God something that was already His. “Every tithe is the Lord’s.”

As Christ-followers, we are not under the same strict requirements for tithing as the Israelites were, but the principle of giving back to God and supporting His work remains important. We are called to give generously and sacrificially, recognizing that all we have comes from God and belongs to Him.

While the New Testament does not specifically command Christians to tithe, it does encourage generosity and giving as a way to honor God and support the work of the church and the ministry of the Gospel. Here are a few examples:

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

God wants us to trust Him with our finances and to be faithful in giving back to Him a portion of what He has blessed us with. As we do this, we express our dependence upon Him and demonstrate our love and devotion to Him.

May 21 -- "The Promise of Increase"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 26 

"The Promise of Increase"

In these verses, God promises blessings to the Israelites if they obey His commandments and follow His ways. Specifically, He promises to give rain in due season, abundant harvests, and fruitful trees. These were important promises to the Israelites in the day it was written, as agriculture was their primary means of sustenance.

As a Christ-follower, we can understand these promises as being both physical and spiritual. God promises to provide for our physical needs, just as He did for the Israelites. He also promises to bless us spiritually, producing in us the fruit (e.g. peace and joy and power and love) that comes from being connected to Him.

God's desire for us as Christ-followers is to walk in His statutes and obey His commands. We can do this by reading and studying His Word, praying, and seeking to live a life that honors Him. As we do this, we will experience His blessings in our lives.

But it's important to remember that God's blessings are not earned by our good deeds. They are a gift of His grace and mercy. We should never seek to obey God's commands in order to earn His blessings, but rather out of love for Him and a desire to follow His ways.

These are not just empty words, but a promise of His presence with you. If you choose to walk in His ways and obey His will for your life, He will walk with you and be your God. He will be there for you in times of joy and in times of sorrow, and He will never leave you nor forsake you.

So I urge you, my child, to choose obedience and surrender to me. Let me be your God and walk with you on this journey of life. Trust in my promises and seek to follow my ways, knowing that I am with you always. As you do this, you will experience the fullness of my blessings and the joy that comes from being in a right relationship with me.

May 20 -- "About the Poor"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 25:23-55

"About the Poor"

Leviticus 25:35 provides valuable insight into how Christ-followers should approach helping those in need.

This verse is part of a larger section of Leviticus known as the "Year of Jubilee," which outlines the Israelites' obligation to care for one another and ensure that everyone has a fair chance at prosperity. It speaks to the idea that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to take care of those who are in need.

As Christ-followers, that we are called to apply this principle to our own lives. We should strive to help those who are in need, whether they are members of our community or strangers from afar. This could mean providing financial assistance, offering food and shelter, or simply showing kindness and compassion to those who are struggling.

At the same time, we should also be mindful of the deeper spiritual meaning behind this verse. The Year of Jubilee was a time of forgiveness and redemption, when debts were cancelled and those who had fallen on hard times were given a fresh start. As Christians, we believe in the power of forgiveness, redemption, and fresh starts! We should seek to extend that same grace and mercy to those around us.

Listen to the word of the Lord as He says to you… I am a God of love and compassion, and I have created you to be the same. As you live your life, I want you to always be mindful of those who are in need. Whether they are part of your own family, church, community, or strangers from afar, I want you to extend your love and compassion to them, just as I have extended my love and compassion to you.

I exhort you to be generous and compassionate, just as I am. Look for ways to help those who are in need, and remember that in doing so, you are serving me and living out the values of my kingdom.

May 19 -- "Do No Wrong to One Another"

 Today's Reading: Leviticus 25:1-22

"Do No Wrong to One Another"

This verse is a powerful reminder that as God's people, we are not called to wrong others, but to treat one another with fairness, respect, and love. We should not seek to take advantage of one another or to cause harm, but instead, we should honor and value each other as fellow children of God.

To "wrong" someone means to treat them unfairly, unjustly, or in a way that causes them harm or damage. This can take many forms, such as physical harm, emotional or psychological abuse, theft or fraud, betrayal of trust, or withholding something that is due to them.

The fear of the LORD is closely connected to the principle of not wronging others. When we fear the LORD, we recognize that he is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and that He has established moral and ethical standards for us to follow. As a result, we are called to live in a way that is consistent with His character and His commands.

According to Deuteronomy 32:4 our God never does wrong to anyone - "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He." One of the key ways that we can demonstrate our fear of the LORD is by treating others with the same fairness and love that He displays toward us. God Himself is a God of justice and love, and He expects His people to reflect those same qualities in their relationships with others.

When we recognize that God is ultimately in control, we are less likely to seek to gain advantage over others, to wrong them, or to treat them unfairly. Instead, we will seek to honor God by treating others with the same love and respect that we ourselves desire.

In summary, the fear of the LORD is intimately connected to the principle of treating others with fairness and love. As we seek to live in a way that honors God and reflects his character, we will naturally be drawn to treat others with the same love and respect that he has shown to us.

May 18 -- "Equal Justice Under the Law"

Today's Reading: Leviticus 24 

"Equal Justice Under the Law"

In ancient Israelite society, there were laws and customs that applied specifically to Israelites, as well as laws and customs that applied to foreigners or "strangers" who lived among them. However, this verse reminds the Israelites that regardless of a person's background or status, they should be treated with equal justice and fairness under the law. This principle was important not only for the sake of justice, but also for maintaining social cohesion and harmony within the community.

Today, this principle of equal justice under the law remains as important as ever. In modern societies, there are still many forms of discrimination and inequality that can prevent certain individuals or groups from receiving fair treatment under the law. This can include discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, financial status, educational level and other factors.

This is why it is important for you as a Christ-follower to uphold the principle of equal justice under the law. This means ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and impartially by the society in which you live, regardless of their background or status. It also means working to eliminate discrimination and prejudice in all its forms and promoting greater understanding and acceptance of diversity and difference.

Remember that each and every person is a human being who is deeply loved by God. As such, they deserve to be treated with the same love and respect that you would want for yourself. They shall have the "same law" applied to them as to anyone else in your society.

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.