Month: November 2019

He Has Made Atonement

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A new beginning. A fresh start. A clean slate. Forgiven. Justified. Free.

These all describe my life after I was born again. It’s nothing I do on my own. The price was paid by Jesus Christ on the cross. I simply believe and accept it.

Leviticus 14:7, “…Finally, he will release the live bird in the open field.” The Message

I am that live bird. I am free because of Jesus’ blood covering me. When I accepted his sacrifice, I was released, see “Save me, Jesus, Prayer.”

Now, I learn how to walk with Jesus. I fall, get back up, fall again and get back up. No matter how many times I fall, I get back up. No matter how far I fall, I get back up until walking comes naturally.

* * * * * * *

I grow and find walking is slow. I need something to help me get there faster – a bike. I learn to ride a bike. Now I can go farther and faster.

Water Baptism is like comparing walking with riding a bike. You confess you are following Jesus Christ and bury your old life in the water. Now you have people to help you stay on the straight and narrow.

Leviticus 14:53, “…Cleansing the house with the blood of the bird, the fresh water…” The Message

But which Water Baptism? Sprinkle or submersion? In these two chapters, the phrase “bathe with water” is mentioned 13 times, see Leviticus 14:8, 9; 15:6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, 27. It takes a lot of water to bathe.

* * * * * * *

I continue growing. I’m going places on my bike and maturing. The next step? A car!

Leviticus 14:18, “The priest will put some of the remaining oil on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, placing it on top of the blood of the Compensation-Offering.” The Message

Jesus bled and died for us. His blood covers our sins. But He didn’t stop there. He sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The oil of the Holy Spirit is added on top of the blood. We need both.

The Holy Spirit takes us farther than we dreamed. It can be compared to going from a bike to driving a car. He shows us wonders we didn’t know existed. He protects us from the elements and comforts us with warmth. All of this is possible because of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.

Leviticus 14:18, “…He has made atonement for him. He is clean!” The Message

November 5, 2019: Leviticus 14-15.

“2019 Relevant Bible Reading Guide”

©2009-2019 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.

On the Eighth Day

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The eighth day is the day of new beginnings. There is pressure to keep me from entering that new beginning. But the very thing holding me back, I may not need. What am I holding on to?

Leviticus 12:3, “On the eighth day circumcise the boy.” The Message

On the eighth day, Moses and the priest offered an Absolution-Offering. On the eighth day after birth, infant boys were circumcised. This was a painful cutting away of skin in their most private area. But they don’t need that foreskin.

Is there something that is a part of me that I don’t need? Am I willing to endure the pain of having it removed?

What sacrifice is God asking of me? What price do I need to pay to move forward? What will I offer?

When I let go or remove the thing holding me back, that is when I will break through the narrow gate. The pressure is intense to move away from the gate and follow the crowd.

Matthew 7:13-14, “…for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction…” Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

I cannot move forward without leaving my place of comfort. But a whole new world awaits.

Leviticus 9:23-24, “…When they came out they blessed the people and the Glory of God appeared to all the people. (24) Fire blazed out from God and consumed the Whole-Burnt-Offering and the fat pieces on the Altar. When all the people saw it happen they cheered loudly and then fell down, bowing in reverence.” The Message

The results of cutting away and sacrifice are:

  • Blessing others
  • Seeing God
  • Celebration
  • Submission
  • Reverence
November 4, 2019: Leviticus 12-13.

“2019 Relevant Bible Reading Guide”

©2009-2019 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.

Offer Your Life to God

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A baby is formed in a neonatal sac filled with warm water. It cushions him from bumps against his mother’s abdomen. But that sac has to break and the warm waters drain away before he can be born. He cannot exit the womb in his warm comfy sac.

He is forced through the birth canal and compressed. He is squeezed and all the fluid in his lungs and airways are pushed out. His lungs are empty and free to take in his first breath.

This is a picture of entering the straight and narrow gate. We would rather stay where we are. It’s warm, comfortable, and everything we need is provided through the umbilical cord. But if we stay, it becomes our tomb. We will die. We must be born again, see “Save me, Jesus, Prayer.”

* * * * * * *

My devotional, “The Word for You Today,” talked about this narrow gate.

Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate… (14) But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life…” Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

After a baby is born, he takes his first breath and fills his empty lungs. The transfer of nutrition and oxygen from the umbilical cord stops. The doctor cuts the cord. He no longer needs it.

* * * * * * *

On the eighth day, Moses and the priest offered an absolution offering. (Absolution means forgiveness, pardon, or acquittal from confessed sins.) A bull bled and died.

Leviticus 9:1-2, “On the eighth day, Moses called in Aaron and his sons and the leaders of Israel. (2) He spoke to Aaron: ‘Take a bull-calf for your Absolution-Offering, and a ram for your Whole-Burnt-Offering, both without defect, and offer them to God.'” The Message

Thankfully, Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins, once and for all. He is our absolution offering. But we have to believe and accept His free gift.

Are you ready to be born again? Or are you waiting to die? You don’t know what you’re missing!!!

Like a baby, you aren’t breathing. There are sights to see and wonderful things to taste. There are people to meet and beautiful things to hear – like your Father’s voice. You have never felt anything soft or enjoyed an embrace. There are many who long to cuddle and love on you. Wait until you feel the pure love of your Father!

But you won’t stay a baby. You will grow and reproduce. You will find the joy of leading others out of their womb/tomb to experience real life.

It’s like going from a silent movie to a 5-D Movie.

November 3, 2019: Leviticus 9-11.

“2019 Relevant Bible Reading Guide”

©2009-2019 thisyearsbiblereadingguide.com. All Rights Reserved.