“I make you holy”

Leviticus 20: ⁷ “‘Set yourselves apart for me. Be holy, because I am the Lord your God. ⁸ Obey my rules. Follow them. I am the Lord. I make you holy.

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Careful is a place I had fallen into.  I was careful not to do anything wrong, say anything wrong or be in any wrong place in expectations that GOD would grant me my wishes.  I was being a goody two shoes, following every rule as written. Sounds great doesn’t it? The problem was my motive.

• I sometimes act good to manipulate GOD into getting my way.
• I sometimes do good things out of habit instead of doing them when it’s tough.
• I sometimes forget about GOD when I accomplish great things.

GOD doesn’t want my phony worship nor does HE want me to totally give up on HIS ways. HE wants me to love HIM enough to want to be with HIM, HIS way.

• GOD wants me to “set myself apart” so others can see HIM instead of me.
• GOD wants me to “obey HIS rules” as a way of protection instead of it being punishment.
• GOD wants me to know “HE makes me holy” not any of my actions.

GOD said my righteousness is like, excuse my graphic language, a dirty tampon or used toilet paper. It’s filled with sinful motive, lack of grace and perpetual sinfulness. BUT GOD forgave me and catches glimpses of me loving HIM back here and there. My actions don’t make me holy, belief in HIS SON’s death and resurrection make me holy!

• Can you set yourself apart?
• Will you stop trying to steer GOD and let HIM work out HIS great plan for you?
• Won’t you allow HIM to make you into the person HE wants you to be?

Do I show respect?

Leviticus 19: ³² “‘Stand up in order to show your respect for old people. Also have respect for me. I am the Lord your God.

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With pants up to his chest we began to laugh at the old man. I mean look at the way he was dressed and wow, he smelled funny. I mimicked his shuffling movements and crotchety tones. My friends laughed and I was funny as usual!

• When I am laughing at the elderly I may not be showing respect.
• When I am refusing to listen to the elderly I may not be showing respect.
• When I dismiss their words as rants I may not be showing respect.

I do the same with GOD.  I dismiss HIS ways, and I treat HIS people as if HE didn’t mind that I talk bad about them. When I show a person a lack of respect I am not respecting what GOD has made.

• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with high esteem, listening to their words of wisdom.
• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with honor otherwise I will treat them as throw away people.
• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with love, making sure their history continues.

Respect seems to be high on the list for GOD. It doesn’t mean blowing off the existence of a person rather seeking their ways and being grateful for their words.

• Are you treating the elderly with respect?
• Are you giving GOD HIS proper respect?
• Do you think ignoring GOD is respectful?
• Can you stop treating others wrong in order to show GOD respect?

When in Blank do what the Fill in the Blanks do

Leviticus 18: The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ² “Speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ‘I am the Lord your God. ³ You must not do what the people of Egypt do. You used to live there. And you must not do what the people of Canaan do. I am bringing you into their land. Do not follow their practices.

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“Grab a sheet” said the people on my floor. A frat was having a toga party. I had no idea what type of party this was going to be so I watched everyone get dressed like Caesar and tromp to the party. As the alcohol poured the people got wilder and wilder. “I wonder if I should stay” crossed my mind.

• The crowd will always want to be wild.
• The crowd will always want to justify its actions.
• The crowd will always want more instead of holding back.

Many times I followed the crowd and it seem to always end up in the same place, regret. You would think I would have learned from the first time but the crowd sounds so fun and so convincing. What am I to do?

• GOD says I brought you out of the crowd for MY purpose.
• GOD says I took you out of situations so you could follow ME.
• GOD says I rescued you from MY wrath and focused it on those who choose to turn away from ME.

GOD says “Follow ME” and he means it in a loving way.  I have a choice to follow HIM or not. HE forgives me for my sins but loves when I choose to leave the sin alone.

• Are you following the wrong crowd?
• Do you think the crowd you are in is righteous?
• Can you ask GOD where HE wants you to be?
• Won’t you check your own motives to see if they align with GOD?

I do not want to be a scapegoat

Leviticus 16: ²⁰ “Aaron will finish making the Most Holy Room pure and clean. He will finish making the Tent of Meeting and the altar pure.

“Then he will bring the live goat out. ²¹ He must place both of his hands on its head. While he does that, he must tell me about all of the sins the people of Israel have committed. He must tell me about all of their evil acts and the times they did not obey me. In that way he puts their sins on the goat’s head.

“Then he will send the goat away into the desert. The goat will be led away by a man who was appointed to do it.²² The goat will carry all of their sins on itself to a place where there are no people. And the man will set the goat free in the desert.

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A few people caused mischief in the classroom this day. It was fun! They were running around like they had lost their minds while the substitute teacher stepped out. Just like a sitcom, when she returned I was acting crazy.  It looked like I was the ring leader of this craziness and I only joined in at the end!

I was punished for everyone else’s mayhem and sentenced to picking up the room by myself.

• Being the scapegoat feels rotten.
• Being the blame feels terrible.
• Being the scoundrel feels horrible.

I have tried to make others the scapegoat by pointing out their flaws and infirmities. Maybe if I can point to someone else then I won’t be noticed. Maybe I can look better than “that” person then my shortcomings can be overlooked.

• JESUS became the scapegoat for me.
• JESUS was blamed for all of my sins.
• JESUS was sentenced to death because of me.

An innocent man died because of me. While this is a sobering truth it is also a celebration point. HE was raised from the dead and so was I. Every sin I have and will commit has been forgiven!

• Are you making someone the scapegoat for your shortcomings?
• Are you blaming someone else for you behaviors?
• Can you accept your responsibility and confess your sins to GOD?
• Can you admit you are a sinner and know that with confession you gain your power back?

Keeping it clean

Leviticus 15: ³¹ “‘You must keep the people of Israel away from things that make them “unclean.” Then they will not die for being “unclean.” And they will not die for making the place where the Lord lives “unclean.” It is in the middle of the camp.’”

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As the hours passed at the bar, the conversation quickly turned into body parts and off color comments. “Should I stay or go?” was my first thought. I had never been in the “in” crowd so I stayed. Everyone actually enjoyed my antics and laughed the night away.

I wonder if I could tell them about CHRIST if I ran into them today.

• My unclean actions can be seen by many.
• My unclean words can harm those around me.
• My unclean ways can seep into many parts of my life.

Even though JESUS died for my sins, I still don’t have a license to go out and do what I want whenever I want, however I want. HIS word tells me I need to remain as clean as I can even in today’s modern society.

• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so I can be clean.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS law and continue to use as much of it as I can but not to depend on it for my salvation.
• GOD wants me to be clean.

When GOD said “Be holy because I am Holy” it was more of a decree than a command. I am only holy “because” HE is holy and I am only clean “because” HE is clean. My thoughts and actions cannot clean me up but GOD can make me clean.

• Are you doing something the GOD would not approve of?
• Are you making yourself unclean?
• Won’t you thank GOD for making you clean through HIS SON?

A physical example

Leviticus 13: ⁵² “The priest must burn up everything that has the mold in it. He must burn up the clothes or the woven or knitted cloth that is made out of wool or linen. He must burn up the leather articles. The mold destroys. So everything must be burned up.

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Like mold, sin creeps in my body and destroys it. I remember hanging out with a group of people who were having “fun.”  Immediately I joined in and sin took over. GOD shows me how damaging sin through mold. HE desires anything that destroys to be burned up. How wonderful it is that HE saved me!

At least make an effort

Leviticus 10: ⁴⁴ “‘I am the Lord your God. Set yourselves apart. Be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves “unclean” by eating any creatures that move around on the ground. ⁴⁵ I am the Lord. I brought you up out of Egypt to be your God. So be holy, because I am holy.

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There is absolutely no way for me to make myself holy! My very birth was sinful so every action I have, will have a sinful motive. CHRIST took my eternal punishment away and I believe this fact. I break HIS rules daily but I am Holy because HE is Holy! 

GOD understands

Leviticus 10: ¹⁷ “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in a place that is near the Holy Room? The offering is very holy. It was given to you to take the people’s guilt away. It paid for their sin in the sight of the Lord. ¹⁸ The blood of the offering wasn’t taken into the Holy Room. So you should have eaten the goat in a place that is near the Holy Room. That’s what I commanded.”

¹⁹ Aaron replied to Moses, “Today the people sacrificed their sin offering to the Lord. They also sacrificed their burnt offerings to him. But a terrible thing has happened to me. Two of my sons have died. Would the Lord have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?” ²⁰ When Moses heard that, he was satisfied.

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Working “too hard” for the LORD becomes a problem as well. The joy of servant-hood quickly turns into complaints when I work too hard. GOD wants me to be joyful when I serve and understand when I need a “short” break so I can be refreshed to serve again.

GOD wants me to come clean

Leviticus 8: ² He said to Aaron, “Bring a bull calf for your sin offering. Bring a ram for your burnt offering. They must not have any flaws. Offer them to the Lord

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GOD doesn’t want stolen money from me. HE also doesn’t want “pretend” service to HIM that aggravates others and pushes them away from HIM. HE wants me to have “clean” sacrifice. HE wants me to earn money the way HE dictates and give generously as HE blesses.

HE wants me to serve out of love, not hatred for “those” people or disdain for “that” person. HE wants me to come to HIM as clean as I can.

Follow the instructions!

Leviticus 8: ³⁴ The Lord commanded what has been done here today. It was done to pay for your sin. ³⁵ Stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days. Stay here day and night. Do what the Lord requires. Then you won’t die. That’s the command the Lord gave me.”

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As I completed assembling the cabinet I noticed a few parts left over. I had failed to read the instructions and had to reassemble the cabinet. GOD wants me to read HIS instructions daily to understand how to cope with life. HE wants me to “do what is commanded” to show gratitude for JESUS taking the punishment for my sins!

If I see it I’m guilty too?

Leviticus 5:1“‘Suppose a person has been called as a witness to something he has seen or learned about. Then if he does not tell what he knows, he has sinned. And he will be held accountable for it.

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“Stand right here” the guy said. As I stood there he proceeded to remove his old raggedy clothes and grab new ones from the rack of the store we were in. He then walked right out the front door. I had watched shoplifting and now I was an accomplice to his misdemeanor.  I didn’t tell anyone!

• GOD says to tell someone about a crime I witness.
• GOD says HE will protect me even though it may seem dangerous to tell.
• GOD says HE is for me, who can be against me.

It truly takes courage to “tell” but it’s worth following what GOD says.

• Did you witness something someone should know about?
• Are you afraid to say something?
• Can you mention the wrong to someone without being a gossip or mean spirited?
• Won’t you mention what you saw today?

I’m not wrong am I?

Leviticus 4: ²² “‘Or suppose a leader sins without meaning to. If he disobeys any of the commands of the Lord his God, he is guilty.

²³ “‘But suppose he is made aware of the sin he has committed. Then he must bring an offering. It must be a male goat. It must not have any flaws. ²⁴ He must place his hand on the goat’s head. He must kill it. He must do it at the place where the animals for burnt offerings are killed in the sight of the Lord. His offering is a sin offering.

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²⁶ “‘He must burn all of the fat on the altar. He must burn it in the same way he burned the fat of the friendship offering. When he does, he will pay for the sin of the leader. And the leader will be forgiven.

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Spray painting the dented car and parking it in the garage was my cover-up. Hiding the Playboy magazine in fishing magazine cover was my cover-up. Going into the men’s washroom and sleeping on the job was my cover-up.  I didn’t want the consequence, I wanted to get away with what I was doing.

• GOD wants me to admit when I am guilty so there can be forgiveness.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I deserve consequence for my sin.
• GOD wants me to believe that my sins are forgiven.

When JESUS was murdered by people who attend church regularly, HE did it without complaint that HE was being falsely accused. HE died specifically for my sins and said “It is finished” meaning no more has to be done.

It is sometimes hard to grasp that ALL my sins are forgiven, no matter how many times I commit them or how heinous they are. GOD said “MY grace is sufficient” which shows HIS love is extreme.

BUT GOD does have a condition. HE wants me to acknowledge I deserve consequence and accept HIS forgiveness even when I think HE can’t possibly forgive me another time. GOD forgives me and that is the GREAT NEWS!

• Do you think everyone else is sinning and you aren’t?
• Do you find yourself talking about what other people are doing and not admitting what you are doing?
• Do you realize that if you confess your sins GOD is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness?
• Can you believe GOD even forgives “that” person? 

Being friendly

Leviticus 3:  “If your offering is a Peace-Offering and you present an animal from the herd, either male or female, it must be an animal without any defect.

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Caller ID is the greatest invention for business. I could see my coworkers’ number appear numerous times but I was too busy to answer the call. When I would see him in the hallway, my empty promise to call him would be repeated again and again.  I was actually brushing this person off and the priority was lowered because others were important.

• I’m not being friendly when it’s all about me.
• I’m not being friendly when the other person is the only one reaching out.
• I’m not being friendly when I make excuses for not being friendly.

Friends can hear the words “I apologize” and keep moving forward with the relationship, so I must take the first mending step. Friendships should not be built on what the other person does for me, rather who they are to me.

• GOD wants me to present a Peace Offering to mend relationships for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to seek forgiveness when I have done wrong.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to work on my heart rather than wanting HIM to work on “that” person’s heart. 

I have heard it before, in order to be friendly, I must learn how to be friends with people. I should learn what they need and meet them where they are. I should bring peace so they can see the great plan GOD has for us.

• Are you at odds with someone?
• Do you treat others different because of something they said or did?
• Can you ask GOD to work on your heart?
• Can you seek peach for the purpose of GOD growing “that’ person?

Where do good things come from?

Leviticus 1: ² “‘He must take it to the priests who are in Aaron’s family line. A priest must take a handful of the fine flour and oil. He must mix it with all of the incense. Then he must burn that part on the altar. It will be a reminder that all good things come from the Lord. It is an offering that is made with fire. It gives a smell that is pleasant to the Lord.

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Tears flowed from my eyes as my coworkers and family gathered together to celebrate my award. “I” had worked hard and “I” stayed up many nights making sure “my” project was complete and right. I was invited to a dinner with the CEO and many of the top executives.  “I” did it!

• Sometimes I forget to thank GOD for my abilities and talents.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD is the one who raises me up.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD has the right to tear me down.
• Sometimes I forget that it’s not about me but it’s about GOD.

GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM, even trials. Yes, trials are good because they can strengthen me where I am weak. I must recognize GOD as being the ultimate giver and forgiver. HE put rules in place to remember HIM because mankind would easily forget who and what HE is.

• GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to remember that I need a savior as often as I can.
• GOD wants me to remember to sprinkle a little “salt” on the world as a reminder of HIS everlasting covenant.

It’s easy for me to think I accomplished all that I have accomplished. BUT GOD wants me to recognize that everything I do has to go through HIS will. I can do nothing without GOD.

• Do you think you accomplish things on your own?
• Do you believe you lack talents because GOD forgot to give them to you?
• Can you recognize that GOD made you perfect?
• Won’t you stop thinking the situation you are in is bad and see GOD has a perfect plan for where you are?