CLEANSING
Today’s Reading: Leviticus 15
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Among the ruins of the 2,000-year-old Qumran community are small pools which were used for ceremonial bathing. The steps leading down to the baths were each divided to ensure that the impure people descending did not touch the cleansed ones returning up the stairs. Believers in Jesus know that we are cleansed by His precious blood (1 John 1:7).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Leviticus 15:31
Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.
One of the physical conditions described in our reading is found in Mark 5:25-34. The woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was immediately healed of a 12-year constant discharge of blood. Jesus, our High Priest, changes everything. These ceremonial laws were for a specific purpose and a specific time. They taught certain health lessons which were important to a great multitude of former slaves who were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. These laws seem to have the purpose of honouring God’s dwelling place, the Tabernacle. We are not under the authority of these ordinances today, nor are observant Jews. The denomination within Judaism known as Pharisees were burdened down with intricate rules and regulations. The Apostle Paul, a one-time Pharisee, wrote, when confronted with teachers who sought to turn believers in Jesus back to some of these ceremonial laws, “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, Your servant, Paul, taught us, as You had taught him, that the Law is fulfilled in loving my neighbour as myself (Galatians 5:14). Grant me grace, I pray, to do this constantly. Deliver me from being self-centred. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Recently I watched a TV show called “The West Wing.” In it the producers and writers put Scripture into the mouth of an actor who played the part of the U.S. President. The quotes were from the most sacred Jewish writings, the Torah. He quoted from Exodus and Leviticus. These verses were never intended to be used in this way as a put down of those who stand for biblical moral standards. When confronted with a woman taken in adultery, Jesus confronted her accusers, who were more intent on discrediting Jesus than in carrying out the ceremonial law. They dropped their stones when Jesus said, “Let him that is without sin among you cast the first stone.” I have a stone on which I wrote this in large letters. It’s a reminder that, along with the laws, the word “forgiveness” is written over and over in the Jewish laws. Jesus exemplified this when He said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” Hollywood, in most cases, gets it wrong. I’m constantly on guard when I watch something like “The West Wing.” God is holy, loving and forgiving. I’m a sinner (1 John 1:8-10) and I deserve death, but God gives me life. I feel the need to worship God. I’m going to search Google and join in singing, “Amazing Grace.” I worship You, Almighty God. I am the object of God’s love.
Yours for a thorough understanding of Scripture, understanding the reason for the Law and for the “Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me,”
David
Thank You God for your word, today, teaching us in old testament and new. The woman touching the hem of Jesus is one of my favourite stories about faith. Praying for all saints, on this beautiful fall day. His love and peace be with you.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:8-9 ESV
Amazing Grace – Mormon Tabernacle Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2arm5ydeJc
Dear Lord God, thank You for loving us. Please help us to love others, even to do good to those who spitefully use us. Thank You for Your amazing grace. Bless all Your servants today – help each one to do the work You have given, and to do it well, that You may be glorified, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen Rob
Amen
Amen
Amen Rob
Amen Rob and Beverlee, Blessings to all, it is rainy and very windy here today.
Thinking of you Doreen, Beverlee, Ger also saying prayers for the two pastors with covid and for all who need a touch from the Lord today.
I hope Bill is feeling ok, I will say a prayer for him also.
I looked back on this day in 2018 when Doona M. wrote such beautiful, heart-felt words on this blog. We have not heard from Donna in a while. I pray all is well with her. Also, have not heard from Irene in a few days. Irene, we miss you and are praying for you. Love to you, Sah. I prayed for you today.
praying also for Pastors Hagee and Laurie.
I am asking the Lord to bless and minister to each and everyone of you, fellow bloggers. May His face shine upon you, and His Amazing Grace be continually extended to you! 🙏❤️
Amen Luisa.God bless
Amen Luisa. I was thinking of Donna, too, when I read her post from two years ago. Very moving. Also, was thinking of Irene and Sah. Praying for all saints and sensing your spirits in this wonderful wind we are having here. God bless you, Luisa! 🍂🍁
Amen Luisa.
Amen Luisa
Agree in prayers Amen
God Bless
May God bless you,Eleanor,for thinking of me.I am fine.I’m just observing some advice by Will Rogers,lol : “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” I have a very close friend who is 86,a retired pastor,with Pancreatic Cancer who is becoming very weak and another,like a brother,who has advanced Parkinson’s and also finding it much more difficult to do normal things….and there are several others too.
I pray that it be His will for total healing.(Ann is also on that list.)
May everyone connected with this blog/Crossroads be blessed.
Amen
Praying for Bill’s friends/Pastor, ill with cancer and Parkinsons. We hold them up to You Lord God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Amen
Amen In Jesus heal Them
No One Dies
May you dream of summer’s sweet breeze
When days bygone turn back the years,
So you can visit those who you please
Til you return as the dawn appears,
Then may happiness bless your day
As the dream makes you realize,
That all God’s children who obey
Will reunite where no one dies.
(GW)Bill Marshall/20 March, 2016
Amen
Thank you Eleanor M. for thinking of me today. The Lord has been doing some good things. Praise Him. Expect to have this bowel and please pray that no damage is done in the process. Thank you. Appreciate each of you and your concern for each other. God bless each and every one. Also Ron and 100 Huntley St. who makes all this fellowship possible.
Ger I am praying for your operation that everything I will be go well. I know that God is able to see you through it. I pray that He will guide the surgeons hands and that your convalescence will be a time to reflect on His goodness. In the meantime I hope you will be able to cope until the operation takes place. 🙏🤗 Eleanor M
Amen, Eleanor! Agreeing with your prayer for Ger.
Am attending the funeral of my cousin’s wife tomorrow and please pray God will use me to be an effective witness to the family. Thank you!
❤️🙏
Dear Lord I pray that the Holy Spirit would give Ger the right words to say. She wants to be a witness for you to those who are attending her cousin’s wife’s funeral tomorrow. In Jesus name I pray amen.
👼
Thank you Eleanor M and Beverlee for your prayers for my witness tomorrow. Just wanted to say also Eleanor that I am having a colonoscopy, a routine bowel test and not an operation but a test also could be risky at my age as a person’s bowel could be punctured so thank you for your prayers. God bless you all.
Praying for all my Blog Friends
God Bless You