Leviticus 15-18

God is still talking to Moses about keeping things "clean" in Leviticus 15-18.  Yesterday, He addressed skin diseases and molds.  Today it gets even more awkward with bodily discharges, blood, and sex.  Yikes!  As always, we have to just take in all of God's Word together and figure out what He is trying to tell us.  The whole point is still that God is holy and sacred.  We, in all our humanness, are not those things at all, but God's ultimate goal is to have an intimate relationship with His people in spite of all that stands to separate us from Him in this world.  We see this goal reflected in God's yearly Day of Atonement.  He wants to save us.

Here's what stood out to me in my reading.

29 “‘Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. 30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.’”

Leviticus 18:29-30

This passage, to me, is God's way of warning us not to fall victim to peer pressure and all the wrongs that are a normal part of our culture.

Certainly, we are surrounded by negative influences, influences that can potentially get in the way of our faith.  We don't always have the ability to choose our environment or our circumstances, but we can make the choice to cling to our faith, no matter where life takes us.  

What is God asking me to watch out for and avoid?  

How is God calling me to be different from "the norm?" 

Where do I need to spend some time with God and hand him more authority in my life?

I take comfort in the fact that God is in charge, in heaven and on Earth, that He is MY God.  

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

I thank You for Your guidance and direction.  Forgive me for not taking the time to be still and hear Your voice in all that I do.  Speak to me and continue to open my heart to Your will. 

I pray that _____________ will also hear Your voice and be filled with Your love.  

Lord, work Your power and glory in our lives.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Love of Christ,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.