Before getting into my bible reading I want to comment on a mini personal retreat that I had yesterday. Mark had the kids and I had about 4 hours all to myself where I could just read the Bible, pray, and continue with the book that I am reading right now: "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It was absolutely wonderful to have a pretty solid chunk of time to really be able to think and read and grow. I think we all need to do this periodically - spend a day or two with God. Mark and I try to get away for a couple of days every year for our anniversary to keep our relationship strong, even though we see each other every day. I think we need to do the same with our God. Take some time to just be alone with him. It wasn't long enough for me yesterday, I want more!
Leviticus is making my eyes gloss over a bit, I must admit. I just keep reading it trying to understand the character of our holy God more. One thing that I can tell is that he takes sin very seriously. Even yeast, which is a symbol of the power of sin in our lives, is prohibited in any of the offerings. He wants no hint of it in our lives.
Matthew 25 talks about being ready for the day Christ returns. We don't know when it is going to be so we must always be ready. Jesus says that when he returns in glory and he judges all the nations those who are righteous will have done the following:
- Feed the hungry
- Give something to drink to the thirsty
- Invite in strangers
- Clothe those who need it
- Look after the sick
- Visit those in prison
Although I have heard this passage many times before it's something that I'm reading today as if I've never heard it before. The list is so simple and there are things that aren't in this list that I would have thought would be important at judgement day. To me it looks like being generous with money and time and really paying attention to the needs of people around us. Bringing glory to God by helping people meet their physical needs.
How does my life change if I take this list really seriously? How do I help "the least of these"? I'm just praying to the Lord to open my eyes and help me see people the way that he does.
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