The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

“SO KEEP MY CHARGE NEVER TO … “  Mar 10

Leviticus does not make pleasant reading, but there are many things in the Bible which make us feel uncomfortable – for our own good.  We could not fail to notice, in reading chapter 18, the parallel with much human behaviour these days.   The LORD tells Moses about his abhorrence of many of the ways of life in Egypt – and in leaving Egypt, God expected his people to leave that way of life behind.  The chapter ends with the words, “So keep my charge never to practice any of these abominable customs that were practiced before you, and never make yourselves unclean by them.  I am the LORD your God.”

What were these abominable customs?   One was, “You shall not lie (have sex) with a male as with a woman.” [v.22]  There is also a long list of sexual relationships which are wrong.  God says, “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan to which I am bringing you …. For by all these, the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean” [v.3,24]

Our world today has become more than ever unclean in the sight of God – will he one day do to our world as he did to the nations in the days of Moses?  There are indications in Scripture that he will, but let us concentrate on ourselves – and the demands that we stay “clean”.

This is the spiritual hygiene which we saw emphasized yesterday as we started reading Psalm 119.  We read more of this today and we see that the Psalmist was conscious his ways needed some cleansing for he writes, “When I think of my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hastenand do not delay to keep your commandments.  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law …. I am a companion of all those who fear you …” [c.59-62] Notice that last sentence!  Instead of being a companion to those who have no thought for God, he seeks the companionship of those who do.   The Psalmist also recognises that troubles can be a blessing in disguise when he sees they caused him to rely on God.  He says, “It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes” [v.71] and “in faithfulness you have afflicted me” [v.75].

Food for our own careful thought at all times, but especially when our lives encounter difficulties and we seem unable to cope with them and we pray, “Let your steadfast love comfort me …. Let your mercy come to me that I may live; for your law is my delight … I will meditate on your precepts.”” [v.76-78]

“MY MEDITATION ALL THE DAY”

"WITH MY WHOLE HEART ... "  Mar. 9

Today we started reading Psalm 119. The longest ‘chapter’ in the Bible.  The phrase “whole” arrested our attention, it is in v.2,10 & 34 in today’s portion. The point comes across most powerfully that the real way to approach God is to do it with all our being, with total commitment of mind.

Verse 2 says “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!”  If the Psalmist is David, which many presume it is, we note how he then exclaims, “Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” [v.5]

The question and answer given in verses 9 to 11 are ones we should memorise – and we are sure they apply to young women as much as to young men.  The question is, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” And the answer, “By guarding it according to your word.  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

David experienced times of depression.  The Psalmist writes, “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” [v.28]  So God’s word, as well as inspiring our mind to keep out (or get rid of) impurities, is a source of strength when we are depressed.  He declares, “I cling to your testimonies O LORD …. I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!” [v.31,32]

Our hearts and minds need enlarging for them to contain all the precepts, knowledge and wisdom we gain over time from God’s word, this process pushes out all unwholesome thoughts.

“Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” [v.34] The word ‘law’ is all embracing, it is not just a set of rules to be kept (and added to) as those opposed to Jesus practised.

Finally, glancing ahead to v.57, the Psalmist declares, “The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favour with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.  When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay …”  We must follow his example with our whole heart!

“UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN  Mar 8

Those suffering with leprosy in Bible times were expected to cry out “Unclean, unclean” (Lev. 13 v.45) so that people would know not to touch him or her for fear of contagion. Today’s reading in Leviticus 15, might seem rather boring, but it has valuable lessons on cleanliness of which the world was ignorant until about 200 years ago.

The word ‘Leprosy’ in Leviticus covers a multitude of skin infections, some serious, some not.  In the last 2 days we have seen that it was the Priest’s responsibility to determine which was serious and see that action was taken. Today we read about the precautions with sick people and others who had bodily discharges so as to prevent the spread of dangerous infection.

Those unclean with a “discharge” were not to touch anyone “without having rinsed their hands in water”. The person touched by someone unclean was also regarded as unclean until the evening and was required to “wash his clothes and bathe himself” [v.11] They also had to cleanse the drinking and other vessels they used.

It is only a few generations since our world discovered how infections spread and the great importance of hygiene; before then countless deaths and plagues occurred. In the 19th Century a few medical men, suddenly realizing that the Bible had such laws given by God 4,000 years earlier became convinced it really was a divine revelation from God and became regarded the Bible was a Divinely inspired book and the doctors then started to cure more than they killed!..

In today’s 2nd Corinthians chapter 11 we see a spiritual counterpart! Paul laments that some were easily “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  He then writes, “if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” [v.3-5].

Then he makes the point, “such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” [v.13]

The tragedy today is that many accept an “unclean” gospel – but some, by God’s grace, come to realize this and go through a cleansing process.  We also read that if really bad behaviour is not cleansed, there is a parallel action to be taken to that of leprosy in dealing with it. See what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5 v.9-13, the faithful church cannot include those who are spiritually unclean.

"OF THEIR OWN FREEWILL"  Mar 7

Paul’s letters to the Corinthians are the most detailed and intimate of all that he wrote to places he had visited. It is evident as we read chapters 8 & 9 of his 2nd letter that he has built up a close relationship and understanding with them. He tells them of the believers in Macedonia, of which Philippi and Thessalonica are principal cities and their “readiness” in serving the Lord.  Then he tells the Corinthians “about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” [8 v.1,2].

In the next verse Paul drives home the point, “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own freewill.”

Paul uses the word “boasting” – but it is boasting in a good sense – about the example of others of dedication and “giving” of time and effort, not just money.  In mentioning this Paul seeks to inspire others to do the same. Of course, it becomes a bad thing if it degenerates into a ‘competition’ and self-righteousness.  The principle is stated in the Proverbs, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” (27 v.2)

Paul states the principles involved very clearly in Ch. 9 v.6-8 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

What a contrast this is to the mechanical process of tithing that had developed under the Law of Moses and the way the religious leaders of Jesus’ day practiced it – and today!  Some churches distort the scripture to justify pressuring their members to tithe – and yet, as we have noted previously, tithing in the nation of Israel was a sort of income tax for the running of the nation, for the Levites were responsible for much more than overseeing worship; an example is in our Leviticus  reading today (ch.14) in the containing and eradicating of forms of leprosy (mildew?).

Finally, our Psalm reading reminded us of another form of sacrifice that those who seek to serve God should make. The Psalmist said to God, “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD” [116 v.17,] This is a sacrifice we make of our own freewill, it is a special way of showing how we feel toward God in response to the love he has shown to us – and will show to us more and more as we come closer to him.

Marriage Children are the Heritage of the Lord Bro. Bob Lloyd 

5 Part study series looking at the tabernacle and David's dealings with it.

The Bible promises eternal life in God’s kingdom to faithful followers. This was the joy set before Christ that he might endure the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand in the throne of God.

"RENEWED DAY BY DAY ... "  Mar 5

How essential it is that we are renewed day by day.  Just as our body needs physical food – so does our mind.   This is one of the points in Paul’s 2ndletter to the Corinthians.  His life is under a lot of stress, far more than others. He says, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken …” [4 v.8,9]  Believers in some countries today are finding a lot of this applies to them.

These stresses are certain to become more widespread in our world - although probably of a different order.  It will be our personal heart felt conviction of faith and belief that will enable us to endure – as it did with Paul.  He was inspired by those who had gone before, such as the stirring convictions expressed in the Psalms we are currently reading.   “Since we have the same spirit of faith”, writes Paul, “according to what has been written, ‘ I believed and so I spoke’ we also believe, and so we also speak …” [v.13,14]  Let us make sure we say the same!  How positive Paul is!  Let us also be positive.  He states,  “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” [v.16]

The foundation of our daily renewal is our meditative reading of God’s word – leading to prayer.  In Paul’s day, as in ours, not all were ‘honest’ with what they read, they were not sufficiently conscious of the all seeing eye of God. In v. 2 we see how Paul makes the point, “ … we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”

It is regular reading which brings God’s word into a balanced focus for our understanding, any uncertainties as to its meaning steadily disappear.  God has revealed all things which it is needful for us to know in our mortal lives.  We would long to know more detail of what lies ahead, but our chapter ends with soul stirring words, “… we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  Make sure you are “renewed” today.

"AS HAVING NOTHING, YET POSSESSING EVERYTHING"

"RENEWED DAY BY DAY ... "  Mar 5

How essential it is that we are renewed day by day.  Just as our body needs physical food – so does our mind.   This is one of the points in Paul’s 2ndletter to the Corinthians.  His life is under a lot of stress, far more than others. He says, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken …” [4 v.8,9]  Believers in some countries today are finding a lot of this applies to them.

These stresses are certain to become more widespread in our world - although probably of a different order.  It will be our personal heart felt conviction of faith and belief that will enable us to endure – as it did with Paul.  He was inspired by those who had gone before, such as the stirring convictions expressed in the Psalms we are currently reading.   “Since we have the same spirit of faith”, writes Paul, “according to what has been written, ‘ I believed and so I spoke’ we also believe, and so we also speak …” [v.13,14]  Let us make sure we say the same!  How positive Paul is!  Let us also be positive.  He states,  “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” [v.16]

The foundation of our daily renewal is our meditative reading of God’s word – leading to prayer.  In Paul’s day, as in ours, not all were ‘honest’ with what they read, they were not sufficiently conscious of the all seeing eye of God. In v. 2 we see how Paul makes the point, “ … we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways.  We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God”

It is regular reading which brings God’s word into a balanced focus for our understanding, any uncertainties as to its meaning steadily disappear.  God has revealed all things which it is needful for us to know in our mortal lives.  We would long to know more detail of what lies ahead, but our chapter ends with soul stirring words, “… we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”  Make sure you are “renewed” today.

"AS HAVING NOTHING, YET POSSESSING EVERYTHING"

Description: Though Israel continues to experience escalating threats to their existence, fulfilled promises and prophecies demonstrate Israel is God’s witness. Israel will not be annihilated and in the future will be elevated to the head of the nations. By belief and sharing of the Abrahamic promises all peoples can become involved in God’s plan for the world.