Tag: Leviticus 19:18
Everlasting intercession!
Scripture reading for February 24th: Leviticus 19-20, Hebrews 7
Hebrews 7: 21-27 “. . but this One was made a priest with an oath by the One Who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever.'” This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
Jesus Christ was appointed by God, His Father, to be a Priest forever. God swore by Himself, since there was nothing greater or higher and His Word is forever settled in heaven and on earth! Because Jesus lives forever and is an eternal priest, He is able to save completely and eternally all who come to Him. These are comforting and encouraging words to all who have humbly put their trust in Jesus Christ. It is indeed fitting for us to have such a High Priest! Jesus is holy and exalted. He is unstained by sin and has conquered death and hell. He lives by the power of an indestructible life and imparts that life to those who repent and believe on Him. He ever lives to intercede for us! We are now made holy by His sacrifice and intercession and are free to love our neighbor as ourselves, entrusting all judgment to our Intercessor.
Leviticus 19:1-2 “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for Your divine appointment of Jesus Christ as High Priest forever. I am greatly encouraged and cling to Him as my High Priest before Your throne. I trust that He is able to save me completely! Help me to live a holy life of loving You and loving my neighbors as You have commanded and made possible through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”
Fanning the flame!
Scripture reading for January 12th: 2nd Timothy 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 1:6-10 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in the suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the world began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, . . .”
In his last letter before leaving this world, Paul affectionately addressed his son in the faith, Timothy with a reminder. Timothy had come from a line of people who were marked by their faith in God. Timothy also had come to faith and had been ordained by Paul through the laying on of his hands and had received the gift of the Holy Spirit and a holy calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit enabled Timothy to be bold and powerful in loving God and sharing God’s love with a hurting and sometimes hateful world. Paul reminded him of this Gift and encouraged him to fan the flames of God’s passionate love and power through the exercise of this Gift. Suffering would result, but life and immortality would flow for Timothy and those who received the Gospel message and God’s purpose would be fulfilled.
Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit to give me boldness, power, and passionate love for You and for Your people. I want to fan into flames the Gift You have provided and that is in me. Give me more grace and power to live a holy life and reach the lost!
Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
Jesus loved His neighbors!
Scripture reading for February 12th: Leviticus 16-19, Mark 3
Key Scriptures: Mark 3:1-5 “Again He entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.”
Jesus came to forgive sins and heal the oppressed. Religious people watched Him closely, not to marvel at the miracles and learn from the Son of God the way of forgiveness and salvation. They wanted to catch Him in their rules and destroy Him. Jesus was grieved and angered at their hardness of heart. There was no love for Him or for their fellow brother.
Leviticus 19:18 “”You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.””
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great compassion for the lost and hurting. Help me to never judge others by religious rules but to be Your hand extended in grace and love. Amen.
Thankful for God’s love!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Leviticus 15-19
Key Scriptures: Leviticus 19:18, 32-34 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. . . .Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
God instructed His people to love their neighbors. The world holds grudges, shows prejudice and exalts youth. But God’s people are to honor the elderly, love the alien and release those who offend them. We are to be people who love our neighbors as our own selves!
Attitude of Gratitude: We can be thankful for a God of love who treats all people with honor and dignity and love! “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” “Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthews 22:36-39)
Imitate your Father (In Heaven)!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Luke 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Luke 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
The prevailing teaching was one of ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!’ God’s people were to show restraint in paying back others who wronged them. But Jesus came along and changed the rules. He asked His people to show love to their enemies by doing good for them. If they were hungry, disciples should feed them. If they were thirsty, drinks should be provided. If they hit you on one cheek, the other was to be turned. The new rule was: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
God, Himself, is kind and loving to the wicked and ungrateful! He provides rain from heaven, the earth and all its bounty for food, and meets the needs of even the atheist and satanist! He gives them grace–the opposite of what they deserve in hopes of drawing them to repentance. He promises to reward those who follow His example!
Observations for over-comers: All revenge belongs to God. It is His goodness that leads people to repent. God is kind and good to all to win some and we must imitate our Father! “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against on of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)