CONTINUALLY

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 24

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).

A rebuilt olive press from Bible times. This was discovered amidst the ruins of Hazor, about 10 kilometres north of the Sea of Galilee. Hazor is mentioned in several Old Testament books such as Joshua and Judges.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.

The word “continually” is repeated four times here. The emphasis is obvious. Oil is a symbol for the Spirit of God, as is fire which produces light. By this light we see the Show-bread on the table and the Altar of Incense, both of which are in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle (see extra photos below). To keep God’s Light shining brightly in our lives, we must have a daily fresh supply of Oil. This can only be experienced by a fresh daily life of prayer, the source of the Oil, and the study of Holy Scripture, the Bread. Our praise and worship in the midst of our prayer and study is like the Altar of Incense, a sweet fragrance ascending to God.

The man taken in blasphemy is punished by death. Jesus died in our place, so that we, like the thief who hung beside Jesus and repented, could be forgiven and have eternal life. Thank God for the age of grace, which Jesus began. We rely continually upon that grace. I remember some sermons which my Dad preached. One was on 1 John 1:1-10. Click on it and read with me. Dad particularly pointed out that, in the original Greek, the verb “cleanses” is in a tense meaning the cleansing is continually happening, non-stop. Dad taught Greek and this truth burned its way into my understanding.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, as the Apostle John wrote, I can never claim to be sinless. I’m totally dependent on the continuous cleansing in the Blood of Your Sacrifice. May I ever be conscious of my sin, and may I hide Your Word in my heart continually “that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Through the grace Jesus gives, I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I also remember that after school one day, when I was 10 or 11, I walked into a classroom at Annesley College in Ottawa and watched my Dad write the Greek lesson for the next morning on the blackboard. I knew that the original language in which the New Testament was written was Greek, and, therefore, an understanding of Greek was important. When I attended Bible College, I signed up for two years of Greek study. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much. The reason? I rely on a lexicon (like this online version here) which enables me to work in English and find all the shades of meaning from the Greek. One day, on live national television, I was being translated into Greek by the Host of our Greek language TV series, and I mentioned the word “cartoon.” I was amazed to hear my interpreter, Bazil Zetas, say, “Mickey Mouse.” It stopped me in my tracks. I turned to him and said, “Did you just say Mickey Mouse?” “Yes,” he said, “That’s Greek for cartoon.” We had a good laugh. Bazil arranged for Reynold’s photographic trip through Greece, so that when our readings speak of Greece, beginning in January, we’ll have some great pictures on the blog for you.

Yours for light as we eat of the Bread of God’s Word, and as we offer the incense of prayer and worship,

David

P.S. Below are pictures from the replica of the Tabernacle which was on display at the Crossroads Centre during the Summer of 2012.

The High Priest in front of the Golden Lampstand in the Holy Place, where fresh daily oil kept the light burning continually.

The High Priest performing his duties in the Tabernacle. Pictured are the Table of Showbread, the Golden Lampstand, and the Ark of the Covenant.

FEASTS

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 23

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).

All along the Old City walls of Jerusalem you will see bricked-in windows which gave a good defensive vantage point for soldiers. This window is at the walk-in entrance at the Jaffa Gate.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 23:5

On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover.

We who live in the so-called “new world” have trouble imagining anything really old. The walls pictured above are old, but really old are the establishment of the seven feasts of the Lord. They began 3,500 years ago and continue in the lives and homes of observant Jews today. The early Christians were all Jews, at least until the conversion of the Roman army officer, Cornelius (Acts 10). They continued faithfully celebrating these annual feasts, and in the past year, thousands of believers in Jesus who are Jewish are still celebrating. Many of us who are Gentiles have joined them from time to time (the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated this month). Jews who believe that Jesus is their Lord and Saviour describe for us with great joy how Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Some who read “100 words” are Jewish! Here’s an assignment for the rest of us. How do we see Jesus in all seven feasts? Here is a good summary article for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as a Jewish Man, You celebrated the feasts. What a joy it would’ve been to live in a booth made of branches for a week with You during the Feast of Tabernacles! May I celebrate who You are for 52 weeks every year. I rejoice in Your constant Presence. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

On Norma-Jean’s night table for several weeks I noticed a book she was reading. It’s “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. Her book mark was in his “5th Letter.” I read there, “This King, who is full of goodness and mercy, doesn’t punish me. Rather, He embraces me lovingly and invites me to eat at His table. He serves me Himself and gives me the keys to His treasury, treating me as His favourite…This is what being in His holy presence is like.” You can find this classic book online in a variety of versions here or you can read it online for free here.

Yours for celebrating His Presence, and for ministering as His representative,

David

FREE WILL

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 22

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).

Just outside of Dan, Israel, one of the sources of the river Jordan begins to make its way from the mountains of Hermon to the Galilee.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 22:19

…you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats.

This reading begins with the requirement for the priests to separate themselves from the holy things until they were cleansed. The holy things were made from the offerings of silver and gold given by the people to God. When the gifts of God’s people are placed for service in our hands, we must be very circumspect in the way these gifts are used. We must never misuse those offerings. In the New Testament, we understand the teaching of the priesthood of the believers (1 Peter 2:4-10). We, as believers, have a unique calling within the human family to represent others before God. We need to take this responsibility most seriously. Our key verse drives home the point that we must make our own offerings unto God, not just expect others to do this for us. In fact, we are to present our bodies “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your powerful instruction found in Romans 12:1-2. As I repeat those verses before You, I ask that I will not be conformed to this world, but be transformed for this new day, by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I pray through the Person and work of Jesus, the One who got it right 100% of the time. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Whether in a local congregation or in the ministry of Crossroads, I refused to handle the offerings myself which were given by people to God’s work. I sought strong and upright people for the various Boards of Deacons, Elders, Directors, and they, in turn, appointed Treasurers or Chief Financial Officers whose responsibility it was to administer the offerings according to the approved budgets. I was interviewed live on Canada’s national television network, the CBC, back in 1978. The interviewer threw the charge at me of being wealthy from the offerings given to the ministry. I came prepared. I drew my T4 slip (the government approved form showing income) from my pocket and handed it to him. I said, “I have the union booklet which determines what these fine camera operators here in your studio are paid. As you can see, I make less than they do.” He immediately changed the subject. I have sought, by the grace of God, to be most careful to “have a good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7a). I have learned from the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 3:1-13) and from other great men and women of God in my generation.

Yours for a “good testimony” to all people everywhere,

David

WORSHIP

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 20-21

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).

These are the remains of the Temple of Pan in Caesarea Philippi. This shrine was likely in full view when Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God!”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 20:8

And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

The god Pan, half goat and half man, was worshipped at the place pictured above. There is no record of a people group that did not worship someone or something. To worship is a basic human characteristic. We will worship! Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, invites us to worship Him, and so does the fallen angel, Lucifer, who declared war in Heaven so that he would be worshipped instead of his Creator. Our reading today begins with Molech, the horrible manifestation of Satan who demanded children as a sacrifice; worshippers would throw their babies into the fire. We understand that The Great “I am” sought the deliverance of His people from these things. The animal sacrifices were the picture of the final sacrifice when God would give His One and only Son as the ultimate Sacrifice. He sanctified (separated, made holy) a people who would begin the process of bringing people back to the true God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I choose to serve You and not things made with men’s hands. Please grant me the grace to hold firmly to You and You alone. I worship You, Lord Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The penalties described in our reading were seldom carried out, according to the Jewish Rabbis. Forgiveness was offered and received. I can remember making threats of punishment for wrong doing to my children. Reynold, our photographer, was the target of these declarations of justice several times. I would send him to his room and inevitably this 5, 6, or 7-year-old would be on his knees when I arrived. “O God, dear Jesus,” he would cry out, “forgive me and make me a good boy.” What could I do? Of course, I forgave him, and I also knelt beside him, prayed for him, hugged him, and rarely would he be punished further. However, I could not help but notice the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He’d figured out how to lessen the punishment. As he matured, he became a boy who loved to pray, even when not under judgment from his Dad. Then he was filled with the Holy Spirit, but that’s another story, which I may tell when we get to the Book of Acts.

Yours to emphasize the worship of the One and only true God,

David

OUR HOLY GOD

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 19

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).

Panorama of the Sea of Galilee looking from the north to south. The grain fields on the slopes are ready for harvest. My two sons and I gleaned from the fruit hanging over the fences while back-packing along the road which runs along the far side of Galilee. Ron was 14 and Reynold was 16. We qualified as “The poor and the stranger” described in Leviticus 19:9-10.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 19:2

Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Seven of the Ten Commandments are emphasized here. Obviously, God knows that we need reminders. An old preacher was asked how he made sure his points were well made. He answered, “I tell them what I’m going to tell them, I tell them what I’m telling them, and then I tell them what I told them.” The truth is that we need all the help we can get to more fully understand God’s Word. If you have not already done so, I have a favour to ask of you. Please help me, like the old preacher, to tell the story to as many as possible. Consider sharing a link to 100words.ca on Facebook, twitter, e-mail, and even the old fashioned way of letters and phone calls. There are bulletin boards, as well as the really old way, word of mouth. God really hammers “tale-bearing,” or gossip, in today’s reading. But there is a GOOD tale to bear as well! Amen? Verses 6-8 were health guidelines. There was no refrigeration. God’s Word has a multi-purpose application.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I’m so thankful for the honour of Your call to read Your Word daily and participate in this blog. I am to love my neighbour as myself, as You reminded me again in our Leviticus 19 reading. Please help me to find fresh, creative ways to “love my neighbour as myself” today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

The law of “gleanings” is here in our reading. This involves the harvest of grains, as well as fruit. In Israel today, this is still the law. My sons, Reynold, Ron and I took advantage of this in March of 1978 when we back-packed around Israel. There were no corner stores for many miles, but there were orchards of oranges, grapefruits, and something we never saw here at home, pomelos. They looked like grapefruit, only bigger and sweeter. Actually, these “offerings” hung over the fences. I’ve prayed fervently over the years that the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) would be hanging out there in my life, so that everyone I meet could “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Every day, my son Reynold “offers” his photographs, taken during his travels in many Biblical locations. Let me also recognize my son Ron and his wife Ann. They “offered” to check this blog for spelling and punctuation errors, and Ann, an American, as well as a Canadian, ensures that when I use the American spelling of words like “favor” (American), they are changed to the international British (and Canadian) spelling, “favour.” Way to go Ann. Ron puts his brother’s pictures in the blog, and makes sure the technical matters, of which I know very little, are cared for.

Thank you to all my faithful helpers and readers,

David

SEXUAL PURITY

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 17-18

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).

An Ibex on the run in Ein Gedi, Israel.  First Samuel 1:1-2 tells us of David hiding from King Saul here at Ein Gedi, the place of “the rocks of the wild goats.”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 18:5

You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.

The words “I am the Lord” appear 18 times in today’s and tomorrow’s readings. God is establishing His infinitely high moral standards in the minds of a people who have just come out from Egypt, where they practised the abominations mentioned here. Let me point out again that persons were not called “abominable”…their acts were. There is nothing new here. The very things that today corrupt society and destroy people and families are described in Moses’ writings. In our key verse, just before a long list of immoral acts, God promises, once again, that just as sin leads to death, obedience leads to life. It’s clear that God hates sexual sin, and it is also clear that He has made provision for the forgiveness of all sin. The words “cut off” could be understood, for example, as the imprisonment of a convicted pedophile. The sacrifices we read so much about were pictures of the final and complete Sacrifice for sin offered by our Lord Jesus.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, give me a loathing for sin and, at the same time, an intense practical love for the sinner. That includes my sin and myself. As the man of whom Jesus spoke prayed, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” and was made righteous before You, so I pray this prayer often. Thank You for this prayer that You guarantee, from the mouth of Jesus, will restore and maintain my relationship with You, O Holy God. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Those words, “I am the Lord,” remind me of standing beside the Sea of Galilee with my Middle-Eastern son-in-law. He told me of the significance of the 153 fish the disciples caught in John 21:11. His first language is Arabic, his second is Hebrew, and his third is English. He explained how in Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value, and “Ana Elohim” (“I am the Lord”) comes to 100, 50, and 3. Peter and the other disciples, who would have attended synagogue schools, knew exactly what the risen Christ was communicating. My son-in-law is an ordained minister in the Nazareth Baptist Church, and I’ve checked this out with Hebrew scholars. We’ll be moving to the Gospel of John in nine days. Don’t get discouraged in Leviticus! How about you and I click right now and read that portion about the 153 fish…John 21:1-14. A lady told me the other day that it was not Leviticus where she got bogged down in her reading; it was Numbers. Something to look forward to, right?

Yours for the blessing of going back and forth between the Old and the New Testaments,

David

P.S. [Originally written October 9, 2016]  Below is a photo of Norma-Jean and me at Thanksgiving a few years ago. We were about to partake of a delicious turkey dinner with some of our family. Also our granddaughter, Hannah Jean Shaheen, M.D., was married recently to a fine young businessman Dan Fuller. I’m rejoicing in God’s goodness that He allowed me to be released from the hospital in time to participate in their wedding ceremony. The second photo below is of Grandpa serving them communion. Rev. Ron Mainse officiated the ceremony.

ATONEMENT (“AT ONE” with GOD)

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 16

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).

A wandering goat on the hillside by the Sea of Galilee. This is obviously a nanny goat. The male of the the species was an acceptable offering for sacrifice.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verses: Leviticus 16:15, 34

“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil…and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat…

This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Yom Kippur, the annual Day of Atonement in the Jewish calendar, has just passed. Here, this most holy day is established. On this day, observant Jews confess their sins to God and ask forgiveness. Last week we presented a video regarding Yom Kippur that everyone should see (click here). Please watch it again. Please pass it on to others.

As believers in Jesus, we have confidence (or boldness) to enter the Most Holy Place every day (Hebrews 10:19-25). Please don’t miss reading from Hebrews!!! When we listen to God as we read His Word and pray, there is an increase in our awareness of His Presence. This blog can help us do this every day. Then, as that passage in Hebrews reminds us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” We need the ministry gifts that God has provided in our local congregation. We need each other in greater depth than the Internet can provide.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, every day I ask for the Divine Teacher, the Holy Spirit, to teach me so that I may teach Your Word correctly and with inspiration. Thank You, Father, that Your Son, our High Priest has, by the Sacrifice of Himself, opened the way into the most Holy Place. May I cherish this most sacred privilege daily. I pray this through the Person and work of Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS (plus a few more):

I’ve committed to doing “100words” daily. This is something that I believe the Lord clearly asked me to do. Following a week of fasting and prayer in our church, I was awakened at 4 a.m. to hear that still small Voice say, “David, you will awaken at this time every day and you will prepare and write a daily blog.” If you’re new to my blog and would like to read more about it, you can visit the “About 100words.ca” by clicking here. The very best place to get answers is when you assemble “yourselves together” in your local church in a class or listening to the Pastor. The Crossroads/100 Huntley Street prayer lines are available toll free across the continent 24/7 at 1-866-273-4444. Our prayer partners will do their best to answer questions and they can recommend a local congregation in your area. Also, be sure to watch 100 Huntley Street daily. You can watch it on TV or online (click here).

Yours for communicating daily,

David

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

CLEAN

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 14

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).

In the area of Caesarea Philippi in Northern Israel, clean cool water from Mount Herman runs swiftly through these waterfalls at Banias.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 14:8

He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean. After that he shall come into the camp, and shall stay outside his tent seven days.

Please click on this Scripture passage: 2 Corinthians 3:14-18. When reading the Old Testament we must read through God’s prescription glasses. He has provided that when we read Scripture, looking through the Person of Jesus Christ, we are able to see with insight and understanding. In yesterday’s reading, the priests were given instruction in the detection of leprosy. Today’s chapter deals with the procedures for cleansing and restoration into the community. Our cleansing is by the Blood of Christ (1 John 1:7). Restoration into the full fellowship of the Church, after spiritual leprosy is cleansed, is described in Galatians 6:1-10. Please click that link and we’ll be blessed to read together.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, Please help me to receive those who turn to You in repentance as You have received me. I need Your cleansing every day, and I thank You and my fellow believers for receiving me into Your Church. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Today’s photo is a magnificent demonstration of the intricate beauty of God’s creation for the cleansing and productivity of the land. I stepped outside a few minutes ago and gazed at the sky. The stars were so very bright and the moon was front and centre. A racoon scampered away from his breakfast on the seeds the birds had dropped from the feeder. How do I think about these things? The human brain is the most complicated organization of matter in the universe. One of our cells is more complicated than the entire man-made electric power system of Toronto. I’m not surprised that, in reading Leviticus, sometimes my eyes glaze over with incomprehension and I feel like going back to bed. The detail in Leviticus is tough for us to handle. God is a God of infinite detail. I know that I will stick with my reading and with this blog because of the grace God has given me. Lots of people give up their reading at this point. I know I’m stubborn enough to keep on keeping on.

Yours for persistent and consistent reading of God’s Word,

David

DIAGNOSIS

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 13

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).

The ancient Caesarea Maritima city and harbour was built by Herod the Great about 25-13 BC. It served as an administrative centre of Judaea Province of the Roman Empire. You can read in Acts chapter 10 about the story of Cornelius, who lived in Caesarea. Cornelius, his family, and neighbours were cleansed from the leprosy of sin as the Holy Spirit came upon them.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Leviticus 13:44

…he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean; his sore is on his head.

When Jesus healed the 10 lepers, as recorded in Luke 17, He said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priest.” The priests were the medical doctors of the day. Jesus’ miracles will always stand the test of medical scrutiny. The word “leprosy” is found 28 times in Leviticus alone. Obviously, God and Moses treated this disease most seriously. There are two purposes for the instructions concerning leprosy. First, the health of those suffering from this dreaded disease, as well as the protection of others from the disease, and second, the spiritual lesson that leprosy illustrates. Leprosy illustrated for Moses the spiritual corruption that will infect God’s people if left untreated, and if there is no separation from sin.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, please bless those that serve us in the medical profession. You care about every detail concerning our health and the treatment of our diseases. You are our Healer, Lord Jesus. Please help me to keep clean spiritually. Give me a heart that yearns to honour You always in all I do, say, and think. I pray these blessings through the Person of the One who healed many lepers, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

From time to time Norma-Jean and I have sent offerings to the Leprosy Mission of Canada. A pill has been developed which can halt and reverse the spread of this disease, particularly if taken regularly at an early stage. Thousands have been helped. In the early 1970’s I travelled to Calcutta. There I spent time with missionary Mark Buntain, who established a wonderful Christian congregation and built a great hospital. In a Sunday morning service we were together at the altar laying hands on the sick, praying for their healing. Before me stood a lady with an obvious leprous sore on her head. To my shame, I drew my hand back, but not Mark. He laid his hand upon her forehead, and prayed. The following Wednesday she appeared at the church. The leprous sore on her head was gone. She was pregnant at the time. Norma-Jean and I took on the support of the Avatoon family (the husband and father had left them). She named the new baby, David, after me. I have never felt so unworthy. Today, the three children are professionals in various fields. Reynold, our son, met the eldest daughter in Calcutta a few years back and took a picture (below). What a joy to receive his first-hand report! Reynold and his wife Kathy were there dedicating a school building project on behalf of Crossroads Missions. Many of you supported this project that helped to get young children away for a few hours each day from the city dump and into school. Reynold called this missions project, “Treasures in the Trash.”

Yours because of God’s concern for every person,

David

Below is the picture of Rita Avatoon. I first met this person when she was a little girl living in a Calcutta slum with her leprous pregnant mother and another sister. A baby boy soon arrived. Mother named him David. Norma-Jean and I had a part in supporting this family until all three children graduated from University.