Read Leviticus 26:3-13
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest professional basketball player of all-time. His rare mix of size, athletic ability, talent, and determination helped him lead the Chicago Bulls to six world championships in eight years.
But did you know that he was cut from his high school varsity team when he was in 10th grade?
Of the experience, Jordan later said that it was good for him because it drove him to work harder on his game, to be become a better all-around player. His hard work was rewarded as he made the team the following year.
God also promises to reward us when we follow His commands…
“‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands...I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers…I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:3, 9, 12)
Sometimes, especially when you are a teenager, it seems that God’s commands only serve to ruin your fun, to keep you from really living it up and being happy. But in the long run, God’s word promises that He will walk closely with you as you follow Him.
Why do you think that some people believe that God only wants to ruin their fun?
What are some of the rewards for living according to God’s commands?
Prayer Emphasis: Commit to God to live according to His ways all of your days.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Follow the Leader
Read Leviticus 20:22-24
As young children, we learn to play fun games like “Follow the Leader” and “Simon Says”. Both of these games are based on the idea of imitating or following the example of the person who is leading the game. Many childhood hours are passed stomping in unison, rubbing our tummies, and patting our heads.
As we grow older, we continue to play these kinds of games, just in different ways. Friends pressure us to follow their example and others tell us how we should act and live. Sometimes we are asked to follow examples that don’t honor God or pursue His ways at all. Sometimes following these examples can seemingly lead to greater popularity and other temporary rewards.
But, God warned His people about “following the crowd” thousands of years ago.
“Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them…you must not live according to the customs of the nations…” (Leviticus 20:22-23)
God didn’t want His people to imitate the lives of those around them. His desire is the same for us today. He calls us to be faithful to His ways and to embrace the eternal rewards of being obedient to Him.
What are some ways that you “follow the crowd” instead of following God’s ways?
Why are you choosing to do this?
Prayer Emphasis: Commit to God to follow His ways for your life today.
As young children, we learn to play fun games like “Follow the Leader” and “Simon Says”. Both of these games are based on the idea of imitating or following the example of the person who is leading the game. Many childhood hours are passed stomping in unison, rubbing our tummies, and patting our heads.
As we grow older, we continue to play these kinds of games, just in different ways. Friends pressure us to follow their example and others tell us how we should act and live. Sometimes we are asked to follow examples that don’t honor God or pursue His ways at all. Sometimes following these examples can seemingly lead to greater popularity and other temporary rewards.
But, God warned His people about “following the crowd” thousands of years ago.
“Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them…you must not live according to the customs of the nations…” (Leviticus 20:22-23)
God didn’t want His people to imitate the lives of those around them. His desire is the same for us today. He calls us to be faithful to His ways and to embrace the eternal rewards of being obedient to Him.
What are some ways that you “follow the crowd” instead of following God’s ways?
Why are you choosing to do this?
Prayer Emphasis: Commit to God to follow His ways for your life today.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Light of Hope-Good Friday
Today’s Scripture: John 19:38-42
Today’s Verses: John 41-42
Today, on Good Friday, we contemplate the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. In our passage, we read…
“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the new garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was a Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” John 19: 41-42
After three amazing years of following Jesus, the disciples were hiding, scattered in fear for their lives, and their dreams of a new kingdom were seemingly shattered. Unlike us, these disciples didn’t know the rest of the story. Everything had come undone. Hope was lying dead in that tomb. This was, most likely, the darkest night of their lives.
There is a darkness, a heaviness that invades us as we come to grips with the fact that our sins have brought about this death, this sacrifice. Jesus bore our sin on the cross so that we might have life, so that death could be traded for eternity with Him. The cost for our freedom was beyond measure. Today, we have to own this.
Even though all seemed lost, we know that a light of hope was burning brightly in that tomb. The Light of the World was hidden for a brief moment in time and darkness had seemingly won for that moment…but it was only a moment.
Tonight, light one candle to represent the hope that we have in Jesus, even in the grave. Keep this candle burning throughout the weekend until Easter Sunday morning.
Today’s Verses: John 41-42
Today, on Good Friday, we contemplate the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. In our passage, we read…
“At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the new garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was a Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” John 19: 41-42
After three amazing years of following Jesus, the disciples were hiding, scattered in fear for their lives, and their dreams of a new kingdom were seemingly shattered. Unlike us, these disciples didn’t know the rest of the story. Everything had come undone. Hope was lying dead in that tomb. This was, most likely, the darkest night of their lives.
There is a darkness, a heaviness that invades us as we come to grips with the fact that our sins have brought about this death, this sacrifice. Jesus bore our sin on the cross so that we might have life, so that death could be traded for eternity with Him. The cost for our freedom was beyond measure. Today, we have to own this.
Even though all seemed lost, we know that a light of hope was burning brightly in that tomb. The Light of the World was hidden for a brief moment in time and darkness had seemingly won for that moment…but it was only a moment.
Tonight, light one candle to represent the hope that we have in Jesus, even in the grave. Keep this candle burning throughout the weekend until Easter Sunday morning.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Blame Game
Read Leviticus 16
The most important day each year for the Israelites was and still is the Day of Atonement. In ancient times, the whole nation would prepare their hearts and gather on this day and wait as the High Priest entered the most holy place of the temple to ask God to forgive the sin of His people. After the high priest returned from praying, a live goat would be brought to him.
“When Aaron has finished making atonement…. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—and send the goat away into the wilderness…The goat will carry on itself all their sins…” (Leviticus 16: 20-22)
This goat would symbolically carry the blame for all of the failures of the Israelites and would bear the burden and weight of their sin. Ultimately, thousands of years later, all of our sins would be placed on Jesus as He hung on the cross and took the blame for our sins. Because of His ultimate sacrifice, we can stand before God forgiven.
What emotions do you think the people experienced as they waited for the High Priest to come out of the temple?
What sins do you need to confess to God?
Prayer Emphasis: Take time to today to ask God to forgive you of the sins in your life.
The most important day each year for the Israelites was and still is the Day of Atonement. In ancient times, the whole nation would prepare their hearts and gather on this day and wait as the High Priest entered the most holy place of the temple to ask God to forgive the sin of His people. After the high priest returned from praying, a live goat would be brought to him.
“When Aaron has finished making atonement…. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—and send the goat away into the wilderness…The goat will carry on itself all their sins…” (Leviticus 16: 20-22)
This goat would symbolically carry the blame for all of the failures of the Israelites and would bear the burden and weight of their sin. Ultimately, thousands of years later, all of our sins would be placed on Jesus as He hung on the cross and took the blame for our sins. Because of His ultimate sacrifice, we can stand before God forgiven.
What emotions do you think the people experienced as they waited for the High Priest to come out of the temple?
What sins do you need to confess to God?
Prayer Emphasis: Take time to today to ask God to forgive you of the sins in your life.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sir, Yes Sir!
Read: Leviticus 11
If you were to enlist and become a soldier in the Army, you would immediately enter into a world of very strict rules and regulations. From the length of your hair to the time you wake up in the morning, everything is very closely monitored by your commanding officer.
Why would a soldier have to follow all of these rules? Because these rules will teach this soldier discipline, discipline which may someday save his life and the lives of many others on the battlefield.
As you read through this chapter, you can easily be overwhelmed by the long list of dietary laws the Israelites had to follow.
“These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves about in the water and every creature that moves along the ground. You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.” (Leviticus 11:46-47)
These laws may not make much sense to you as you read through them, but when you look closer, you see that these laws protected God’s people from disease and helped them be pure and holy before Him.
What rule do you have to follow that just doesn’t seem to make sense to you?
Can you think of any reasons why this rule may help protect you and help you grow?
Prayer Emphasis: Today, trust that God knows what is best for you and that His rules are there to help you grow in Him.
If you were to enlist and become a soldier in the Army, you would immediately enter into a world of very strict rules and regulations. From the length of your hair to the time you wake up in the morning, everything is very closely monitored by your commanding officer.
Why would a soldier have to follow all of these rules? Because these rules will teach this soldier discipline, discipline which may someday save his life and the lives of many others on the battlefield.
As you read through this chapter, you can easily be overwhelmed by the long list of dietary laws the Israelites had to follow.
“These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves about in the water and every creature that moves along the ground. You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.” (Leviticus 11:46-47)
These laws may not make much sense to you as you read through them, but when you look closer, you see that these laws protected God’s people from disease and helped them be pure and holy before Him.
What rule do you have to follow that just doesn’t seem to make sense to you?
Can you think of any reasons why this rule may help protect you and help you grow?
Prayer Emphasis: Today, trust that God knows what is best for you and that His rules are there to help you grow in Him.
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