Reading for today: Numbers 2:1-16, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

“And if Christ has not been raised… your faith is futile”. 1 Corinthians 15:14

Here’s the crux of everything.  Is, or is not, Jesus alive right now?  All of life hinges on that question with Jesus Himself being the only one who can answer.  When He does, all of life falls into place, all we have to do is tell those who don’t know, just as we were told, and found it to be true.  But it is Jesus who proves that He is The Living God.

Reading for today: Numbers 1:28-54, 1 Corinthians 15:9-11

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.”  1 Corinthians 15:10

There is a time in life where we all feel that we cannot go forward and pursue the daily life. Here, we read that God’s grae has changed us so that we could continue to pursue the life that is set out before us. It is God’s grace that ges me through everyday.

Readings for today: Numbers 1:1-27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vein.” 
1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Paul tells us that we have been given the good news, the truth of the resurrection!  With this evidence we are to stand on that firm “Rock” by which we have been saved and to hold fast to Jesus our anchor in time of need.  Are we sharing that same “Good News” with others?  (Matthew 9:37)

Readings for today: Leviticus 27:16-34, 1 Corinthians 14:37-40

“Let all things be done decently and in order.”  1 Corinthians. 14:40

Allow the Holy Spirit to bless all in the congregation with the wonderful working of all spiritual gifts including psalm, teaching, tongue, revelation, interpretation, knowledge, healings, and prophecy, but always let all things be done decently and in order.

Readings for today: Leviticus 27:1-15, 1 Corinthians 14:34-36

“But if he is too poor to pay your valuation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall set a value for him; according to the ability of him who vowed, the priest shall value him.”  Leviticus 27:8

The Lord carefully values each and every vow made to him.  The breaking or redemption of a vow also carries a cost greater than the initial valuation.  Vows, gifts, and dedications are holy to the Lord, and should not be made flippantly.

Readings for today: Leviticus 26:23-46, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”  1 Corinthians 14:29

Who will win the battle: the prideful sinner who refuses to admit his guilt and continues to sin in spite of the sevenfold punishment rightfully given by God, or Almighty God who has promised to continue turning up the severity of the sevenfold punishments to complete and utter destruction or until the sinner finally admits his guilt and repents?  We know that God is willing to forgive a person who honestly repents of their guilt before Him and asks for forgiveness.

Readings for today: Leviticus 26:1-22, 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

“But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.”  1 Corinthians 14:24

Understanding the proper role of tongues requires maturity, and the lack thereof has no doubt caused division and confusion.  If tongues are to be spoken in public, then doing so in an orderly manner with interpretation will edify all, especially non-believers who otherwise might question the sanity of the proceedings.  However, when tongues are expressed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit with proper interpretation, God can reveal “secrets of the heart,” convincing and convicting where needed and bringing about true worship.

Readings for today: Leviticus 25:39-55, 1 Corinthians 14:12-19

“…after he is sold he may be redeemed again.  One of his brothers may redeem him…”  Leviticus 25:48

In teaching us about His laws concerning slavery, might God be revealing some things about our relationship with Him?  If we as His brethren who dwell by Him have become poor (in spirit) and sold ourselves to Him, by His own teaching He will not compel us to serve as a slave, but rather as a hired servant and a sojourner until the year of Jubilee.

Readings for today: Leviticus 25:23-38, 1 Corinthians 14:6-11

“If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold.” Leviticus 25:25

God has detailed legal regulations regarding ownership and transfer of property rights.  Even though it is all His, property rights under the law include interesting elements, such as the kinsman redeemer, a picture of Christ (as our brother) who is able to pay the price to redeem us from our sin debt.  Certainly, there could be no greater lost possession than that of eternal life with the Father. We are also told to help those who fall into poverty (sin) that they may live with us (forever).

Reading for today: Leviticus 25:1-22, 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

“Follow after charity (love)…” 1 Corinthians 14:1

With just a little bit of study we find that “follow” as used here means to “pursue.” It’s like love is going to get away from us if we don’t chase after it. As we consider the gifts of the Spirit, let’s not let go or lose sight of that most precious fruit of the Spirit, love.