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These are a few of our SOAP notes from today’s reading. We encourage you to read and journal on your own first, then join us in conversation about what God revealed to YOU today. Click HERE to go directly to the daily reading if you wish.
Warning! The Land Vomits | Vicki Burns
S~ They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come. Leviticus 17:7 (NIV, emphasis mine)
Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you. Leviticus 18:24-28 (emphasis mine) (NIV)
Bible Note: 8:25 the land was defiled. Uncleanness and sin were contagious, infecting everything that came into contact with them, including the sanctuary [-] and the land. Vomited. This personification of the land underscores the poisonous contagion of uncleanness and sin.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV) It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,5 who have tasted the goodness of the work of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
O~ When we knowingly choose to sin in these severe ways, we prostitute ourselves. Even in less severe ways we are giving ourselves over to serve an idol, such as if that idol is ourselves, our lusts, our desires. We become to some degree or other, prostitutes that scatter contagious destruction that defiles us, our community and our land.
Chapter 18 is all about sexual immorality. It must be important if the Bible devotes a whole chapter to explaining plainly what is capable of defiling you, your community and the very land under your feet! We are warned in it, that the inhabitants will be vomited out because of their disobedience and “detestable” conduct. So also: ” 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.” This gives me pause about our own land, America.
I am bringing in Hebrews 6:6 of the New Testament here because it reveals an even more severe danger of casting off restraint for the believer. It says, “if they fall away,…because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” Judas is given as an example in my Bible notes, of one who appears to be a believer, even showing spiritual gifts,until he falls away, seemingly irreversibly.
A~ Much is at stake in my effort to remain faithful — and I fail constantly, to take it seriously enough. Although sexual sin may not be my weakness, when I play around with sin, I am in some degree of danger of bringing public disgrace on the name of the Lord, whose Name I bare.
I need to take my sin more seriously. I need to understand that when I sin it opens the door for doing so in more severe ways. Then I would be in danger of literally subjecting Christ to public disgrace and endangering those around me. Yes, I know. Romans 8:1, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,….[but it goes on to describe them as those] 4b who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
I stand convicted and in need of repentance…deep repentance. I want to deny my sinful nature and all its works and live according to the Spirit.
P~ Teach me how to pray continually. Keep me in Your love. Forgive my sin and grant me a deep, thorough gift of repentance so I bring You glory in all I do, think and say. Heal my heart. Cleanse my life. I want all in.
Life in You | Luisa Penaherrera
S~ If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them. I am the Lord. Leviticus 18:5 (NLT)
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
O&A~ Following God’s ways is where I will really live. Holy Spirit gives me the power to live for God.
P~ Thank you, Jesus for the life you gave me in you. Thank you Holy Spirit for being with me always.
A Great Gift | Michelle Myers
S~ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized you with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 1:4-5 (NIV)
O~ This command was given to the apostles by Jesus. This was after his resurrection, when He remained on the earth for forty days, before being ascended up to heaven.
A~ The gift of the Holy Spirit has been so important in helping me through this life. As my walk with You increased and I relied more and more on the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment, I started to experience more peace and joy. Probably because prior to this, I relied more on either myself or other people. If that isn’t the blind leading the blind, I don’t know what is!
P~ I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit. Please just keep helping me, and that help, needs to start with reminding me I have to listen, obey, believe, and trust; regardless of MY feelings, desire, plans, etc.
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