Readings for today: Leviticus 19:1-18, I Corinthians 12:26-27

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2

We often think of Old Testament laws as just strict rules and regulations. While I’m thankful my salvation doesn’t depend on keeping them, the fact is these laws were meant for Israel’s good. Look at some of them: honor your parents (v.3), care for the poor (v.9-10), don’t steal (v.11), don’t cheat (v.13), don’t hate others (v.17). Every society is better off when people do these things.

Readings for today: Leviticus 18:1-30, I Corinthians 12:22-25

“…that there should be no schism [division] in the body, but that the members
should have the same care for one another.” I Corinthians 12:25

As the body of Christ, we’re all very different, yet we can all work together in
unity. Some things bring division, such as gossip or a judgmental attitude. The
key to unity and harmony is to genuinely care about others, even if it’s as simple as spending a few minutes listening to show you care. There are so many ways. Let’s each take time this week to show we care for someone.

Readings for today: Leviticus 17:1-16, I Corinthians 12:19-21

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…for it is the blood that makes
atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

For centuries, doctors tried to cure diseases by draining some of a person’s blood. But all along the Bible said that blood is necessary for life. That’s also why animal sacrifices were done: the punishment for sin is death, so only death - shed blood - can pay for sin. But those sacrifices were symbolic; an animal’s death cannot truly erase a person’s sin. So Jesus, the only perfect High Priest, offered Himself as a pure Lamb, sufficient to permanently take away our sin.

Readings for today: Leviticus 16:20-34, 1 Corinthians 12:15-18

“This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the
children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” Leviticus 16:34

Israelite priests had to make special sacrifices every year because of sin, both
theirs and the people’s. There could never be enough sacrifices, enough good
works, to erase the sins they’d committed. It had to be done repeatedly. I’m so
thankful that Jesus, having no sin of his own, was both able and willing to take
my place!

Reading for Today: Leviticus 16:1-19, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

“For as the body is one and has many members…” 1 Corinthians 12:12

Paul compares the body of Christ to a human body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole.  The parts are different, but they must work all together to glorify and to spread the Good News of Salvation. Let us not sin in being proud of our spiritual gifts, or in thinking we have nothing to give the body of believers. All gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and are to be used to edify the body of Christ and to reach out to a lost and dying world.  If we are to complete the task appointed to the church, we all need to use the gifts given us and let the Lord complete the good work he has begun in each of us.

Reading for Today: Leviticus 15:1-33, 1 Corinthians 12:11

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”  1Corinthians 12:11

Yesterday we read the list of spiritual gifts. Today we see that it is the Lord who determines who gets which gifts as He sees fit. 1 Corinthians 14:1a says, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts…”  This tells us to desire true gifts that we may use them in love. God has given you gifts that are to be used.  Remember, he who asks receives, so do not hesitate to ask your Father for more of the gifts and more opportunities to use those gifts.

Reading for Today: Leviticus 14:33-57, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

“For a swelling and a scab and a bright spot, to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.”  Leviticus 14:56-57

Sometimes there are obvious signs whether our house is clean or unclean. Inspecting the fruit of our lives will help us determine where we are in our walk with the Lord. Leprosy was a symbol of sin and we can see how it can easily spread throughout the entire house when we live outside the will of God. Sometimes it tears down the whole house.

Reading for Today: Leviticus 14:21-32, 1 Corinthians 12:6-7

“And he shall offer one of the turtledoves or young pigeons, such as he can afford.” Leviticus 14:30

The Lord considered their ability to pay.  He looked at their life status and finances to make an offering. Consider the widow who gave all she had knowing the Lord would provide for her. Many people gave larger sums of money, but no one gave as much. Are we offering the Lord all of our lives, or just what is left over?

Reading for Today: Leviticus 14:1-20, 1 Corinthians 12:5

“There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.” 1Corinthians 12:5

We are all called to have servant hearts, whether to clean toilets and carpets, do administrative work, or to teach God’s Word.  All these tasks are of equal importance in God’s eyes.  The Holy Spirit equips His people with certain gifts so that the body can work efficiently, effectively and powerfully.  Pray that God would reveal your gifts and how He wants to use you, and remember that your gift is supernatural, and not anything that we could ever do in our own strength.  Do all the glory of God.

Reading for Today: Leviticus 13:47-59, 1 Corinthians 12:4

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” 1Corinthians 12:4

It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who is God, that each of us as Christians receive when we receive the gift or eternal life. There in nothing and nobody more powerful to unite such a people as the Holy Spirit. He is our guide and strength; only through Him do we have the ability to use the gifts that God give to edify the body of Christ. Romans 12:6-8 tells us how to use these gifts.