SEPARATION
Suggested Reading: Leviticus 15
(click scripture link to read online)
Among the ruins of the 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.
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, except for a few particularly religious amongst them. 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” (Gal. 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 (Gal. 5:14). Grant me grace, I pray, to do this constantly. Deliver me from being self centred. Thank You Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
This past Friday at 8 p.m. a television show called “The West Wing” was aired. 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, a Jewish Rabbi, confronted her accusers, who were more intent in 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. My sin is an abomination, not me. 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
On this Thanksgiving Day, LORD JESUS, I thank you for your ‘Amazing Grace’! I thank you for the beauty here on the East Coast as the sun rises over our farm. I thank you for rising in my heart! Many times I cling to the ‘hem of his garment’. Thank you Jesus for your healing power, continue to heal my friend, Faye! Amen! Amen!
Thank you Lord for the countless ways you have guided my life, for my loving and beautiful wife, my children whom I am so proud of, and friends who have made a world of difference. A special thanks and prayer for you David for your continued ministry in this Blog and all those who provide support in its delivery to us every day! Thank you Reynold!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!
We must be ever so vigilant in our choice of television broadcast. Yesterday I saw a statistic on the secular American news media which stated that more and more sitcom personalities will be homosexual and bisexual. We need to stand behind Crossroads and their initiative for principle- based family-friendly television. This has everything to do with a spiritual war we are in for the minds and hearts of our young people. Pray, stay on the path of righteousness and support ministries that are on the front lines of this spiritual battle. Sorry if I sound preachy today, but I believe in this initiative that strongly. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving David, your family, to all at Crossroads and to all my blogging friends!
Thank you lord on this Thanksgiving weekend for all the blessings you have blessed me and my family. I thank him for forgiving my sins,protection from all evil, and blessing our farm with abundance and prosperity.
Good day, everyone. Mr. Mainse, you did not say what was said on that TV program but, I can well imagine! I, personally don’t bother with “Sitcoms ” a lot of it is either nonsense or just plain ” G A R B A G E ! ” There is a fair amount of good Christian programming ( ministries, movies, etc… ) that is far more rewarding to view and learn from. I, personally, try to watch ” 100 Huntley Street ” daily! There is a balanced amount of content there and I enjoy it very much! I do agree that we must be vigilant in our choices of material offered by the broadcast media. With the Holy Spirit and our individual consciences to guide us, we are enabled to make the proper choices. In this day and age, we have more Christian television and radio material offered to us than ever before but, even there, one needs to exercise caution, unfortunately. Thanks, David, for allowing us to express our views. May God continue to bless you sir!
David, you are a watchman among watchmen. I thank God for your heart of purity and your unapologetic yet highly sensitive approach to sharing Jesus, Scriptural truth and your desire to protect families. Please teach us how to engage the most highly sensitive political issues of our day with the finesse and candour with which you are able to express yourself. I work in the heart of the city. I love many people who are trapped in bondage re: sexual orientation, views on abortion, addictions and more. It is such a challenge to empathize with their pain yet be fully candid about God’s perfect will. With your communication skills you can help us slay more giants…..but we need the tools to cut through the rhetoric…..right at the grassroots. Please share the “how to” as you share the truth itself. Looking forward to more deep insights. Happy Thanksgiving…to all!
my first ever blog!
we also saw the west wing on friday and appreciated jim’s comments very much.
appreciate your faithful daily 4 am bible study and looking forward to our first ever trip to the holy land in november.
shalom,
graham & vivienne.
ps please forgive poor typing due to a fracture in my left wrist.
I agree with George
Have a wonderful thanksgiving David with your family
Lianne Hogg
Wishing one and all a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Psalm 95 came to mind this morning: Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to everyone
I thank God for all He is Doing
for Canada…. God Keep Our Land…..LAND ….Keep our God in the Middle of Everything….
Psalm 72.8 ….comes to my Mind…
Have a wonderful Thankful day & Year…..David as we Journey…..
Thank you, Lianne. I truly appreciate the support. God bless you and yours abundantly!
Happy Thanksgivving Everyone.
I truly enjoy getting up to this blogg every morning and I also enjoy reading the comments of all the responders.
Thankyou again