Leviticus Chapters 13 and 14 lay out the Law, regulations, and guidelines for all infectious skin diseases that were considered either clean or unclean by the Priest. If unclean, the person was banished to outside the camp, wore torn clothes like that of a mourner, covered the lower part of their face, and cried out, “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45) So to start, this man broke the rules by coming close to Jesus and speaking to Him. But his words revealed his understanding of just who Jesus was…for he said, “If You are willing…” the Greek word, Thelo, meaning that he knew that Jesus was not only willing, but fully capable of healing him. His next faith-filled statement, “You can make me clean.” used the Greek word, Katharizo, which was often used in the Old Testament for the legal cleansing by the Priest of leprosy. But touching a leper also made the other person ceremoniously unclean…but rather than Jesus becoming unclean – in an instant the leper was healed and made whole.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Jude 3 ” Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”
Jude was alarmed at all the false teachers that had infiltrated the Church…to the extent of actually being invited and accepted by the people. Thus, the purpose of his letter was to warn them about the true intent of these false teachers that were using Christian liberty and the free grace of God as a license to promote immorality, which Jude sternly denounced to impress upon his readers the seriousness of their threat within the walls of the Church. When Jude wrote that they needed to “contend for the faith”, he was beseeching them to go back to the basics of the Gospel Message and the revealed truth of just where their faith originally came from. The sad story is that even today false teachers continue to worm their way into unexpecting Churches…tickling their ears with half-truths and out and out lies…all the while claiming they have “new revelations”.
Exodus 3:10 ” So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
God chose Moses to free His people from the slavery of Pharaoh, but instead of obeying, Moses made excuses. And he wasn’t the only one across the Old Testament that battled and struggled with the call of God on their life. There was Gideon (Judges 6:15), Saul (I Samuel 9:21), David (II Samuel 7:18), Solomon (II Chronicles 2:6), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5). Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:14), and Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3). What they all discovered was that for every excuse they came up with, God would patiently but firmly reassure them that under His strength the Way was already prepared. And if they refused like Jonah did, God was relentless to convict, exhort, and dog them until they finally obeyed. Just know, that with the calling comes the inner struggle and battle with God…us saying we can’t, and God saying, “Yes you can!”
Romans 7:18 ” I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
Even as a new creation in Christ, we still struggle with sin. We desire to do what is upright, virtuous, and morally good…but our corrupt human nature makes it hard to accomplish. But we need to then remember Galatians 5:24 tells us that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” For as followers of Christ, the Cross not only broke the grip of the Law, but of the flesh. So, by faith, we can recognize the reality of our union with Christ in His life, death, and resurrection – for we too have been raised to new life in the Spirit of Christ – the old is gone, for we are now a new creation. (II Corinthians 5:17)
II Samuel 22:31 ” As for God, His Way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless.”
A. W. Tozer once wrote, ” God’s Word is true whether we believe it or not. Human unbelief cannot alter the character of God.” Just because we may think that the Bible is outdated, not popular anymore, or doesn’t fit modern society, doesn’t mean it’s not still the infallible, unerring, correct, and true Word of God. For unlike our social opinions that change and shift like the sands on the beach…God’s Word does not change. And what He has said in the past has transcended all time…every Word proving true…having been over and over tried and found to be utterly reliable. (Proverbs 30:5)
Hebrews 2:8 ” In putting everything under Him, God left nothing that is not subject to Him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to Him.”
Until that day when God’s original plan for mankind is finally fulfilled, we will not yet see all things subjected to Jesus Christ. It’s only when God’s original plan and purpose for humanity is completed that everything will fully and finally be subjected to Him. And on that day when Jesus returns, He will smash the rule of fallen man who are currently under Satan’s authority and will rule the earth as the King of kings and Lord of lords with equity and righteousness…and at long last, all things will be under His submission.
Proverbs 6:9-11 ” A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.”
This Proverb is a timeless reminder of the value of diligence, responsibility, and an excellent work ethic. It dares to ask the question…”How do you use your time?” Are you lazy or prudent with your activities? All the while knowing that laziness produces poverty, while industry brings prosperity. But we love ease and love also to procrastinate… even if it does demonstrate the sin of idleness and slothfulness… like that of a robber who will suddenly overtake & overpower his victim.
I Corinthians 13:5 “Love is not self-seeking.”
Selflessness in the Bible is an attitude and way of life that prioritizes the needs, interests, and welfare of others before one’s own. It embodies the spirit of love, humility, and servitude that Jesus Christ exemplified during His earthly Ministry. Selflessness is a true reflection of Christ’s love and character…as we model seeking the good of others, not our own good. (I Corinthians 10:24) But selflessness rubs against our selfish human nature, and it takes a concerted effort on our part to place other’s needs before ours. That’s when the word JOY can be a help. JOY stands for Jesus, others, and yourself…which means our priority is always Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last…which in the end, brings joy into our life.
Daniel 7:27 ” Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him.”
In Chapter 7 of Daniel is a vision of the Ancient of Days taking His seat on the throne and of His Divine judgment…with His sovereignty and rule then given to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Starting in verse 15, Daniel does not have to speculate as to what his vision means, for an angel tells him exactly what it is. (Daniel 7:17-18)…with the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom over all earthly powers given to the saints through their endurance of persecution. God’s people will then receive and possess the Kingdom under the Kingship of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, Who will be the final King over the earth.
Ezekiel 7:17 “…and every knee will become as weak as water.”
Fear, anxiety, and stress, compounded with exhaustion, can easily render us frozen in our tracks. As our knees knock together or giving way, we’re like deer caught in the headlights…panic stricken and frozen in fear. But God’s Word tells us that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4) And as we follow God and His precepts, His Word says, we will walk about in freedom. (Psalm 119:45) That’s because as we seek God’s guidance, He will give us confidence, strength, and direction to walk in the Way of Salvation and Holiness. (Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 35:8)
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