252nd Week, Leviticus Chapters 25-27 & Psalm Chapters 90-91 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on title for video Intro

Monday, Leviticus Chapter 25

Leviticus 25

Verses 23 & 24

Mindy Strayer

Verses 23-24:  The land cannot be sold permanently because the land is mine and you are foreigners-you’re my tenants.

THOUGHT

Homesteads, whether a house on a lot or a bunch of land, are a big deal in this world. Ownership of one’s home is a very big deal in this country for many different reasons. They can be a source of great joy, contentment, and belonging. But they can also be a source of much sorrow, greed, and headaches. I love how the Lord reminds us in these verses that we are really just caretakers of wherever we live here on earth. Everything really does belong to Him. How freeing! Because they are not really ours, we don’t need to try and hold onto them so tightly.  We should be more able to open them up and share them with others.

PRAYER

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for redeeming us and giving us an inheritance in the Kingdom of God! Because of You we need not wait 50 years to reclaim our freedom. Freedom from sin and its hold on us is available to us every moment of every day! Praise God for He is so good!  AMEN

Tuesday, Leviticus Chapter 26

Leviticus 26

Mindy Strayer

THOUGHT

If we are obedient, we will receive God’s blessings. The blessings of God are not always seen by other people, and they are not always understood by other people. What may look like pain, suffering or deprivation to one person is actually a source of relief, protection, and provision for another individual. The intangible blessings from the Lord seem to be the blessings that have the most value for they are blessings that give us peace, knowing that we are alright with the Lord and trusting that He is working in our lives to transform us from glory to glory into the image of His Son.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for all of the many blessings in our lives. They are too numerous to count. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear and minds that may reflect all the many ways in which You are active and blessing our lives each and every day. Help us, Holy Spirit, to search out our hearts for sin that may be present and give us the grace we so desperately need to crucify that sin in our hearts, minds, and bodies. We desire to do Your will, Oh God. Strengthen that desire within each of us I pray in Jesus Name. AMEN

Wednesday, Leviticus Chapter 27

Leviticus 27

Verse 30-33

Delores Little

Verses 30-33:  A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it. The entire tithe of the herd and flock, every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod, will be holy to the Lord.”

THOUGHT

Now this whole chapter is about giving unto the Lord.  I had to read my study notes to understand it more.  We know a tithe is a tenth. (Nu. 18:21-29; Dt. 12: 6-18; 14:22-29; 26: 12)  From these passages it appears Israel actually had three tithes: 

1. The general tithe was paid to the Levites (Nu. 18:21) who in turn had to give a tenth of that to the priests.

2. The tithe associated with the sacred meal involving offering and Levites. (Deut. 14:22-27)

3.  The tithe paid every three years to the poor. (Dt. 14:28-29)

In verse 34 it says, “These are the commands the Lord gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.”

He ends this book with offerings, and this is a lesson we all need to know.  Ever since my husband and I tithed, it has indeed been a blessing.  You cannot out give God.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for how You bless us every day and let us trust You to see to our needs.  Bless all the Salt Shakers.  In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN

Thursday, Psalm Chapter 90

Psalm 90

Verses 11-12

Matt Strayer

Verses 11-12:  Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

THOUGHT

Our life is limited, and it will come to an end. Keeping this in mind will help us make wise decisions and invest ourselves in things with eternal significance. It keeps us focused on living our best each moment, as many moments lived for Jesus adds up to a life lived for Jesus. 

There are many days when we feel like we haven’t done anything very significant, and this is probably what Satan wants us to believe.  I think being faithful and living in the ordinary moments is just as important (and harder!) than being faithful in the big moments.

PRAYER

Jesus, we want to live our lives in a way that honors You.  Help us be good stewards of each day that You give us. Help us to love You and love others the best we can.  Invest ourselves in things with eternal value and be faithful in all circumstances.  Keep discouragement away and remind us of Your grace when we fall short. AMEN

Friday, Psalm Chapter 91

Psalm 91

Verse 14

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 14:  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”

THOUGHT

I am so glad and rejoice in the fact that I got to do this chapter. I know that each of you might have a very special moment in connection with this one. I will say that it is the 2nd most popular chapter in Psalm except for 23. What a relief to turn to this Psalm and move out of the shadows into the sunshine!!! The theme is security. God preserves those who commit to Him and love Him. We must do the following:

Draw close to Him.

Trust in Him.

Call upon Him through prayer.

Courageously live for Him.

I make notations in my Bible when certain scriptures are read or shared. This chapter was one I read over and over again after my husband left me. It was recommended by a friend on May 16, 1999. The verse above gave me a feeling that I was not alone but being protected, loved and cared for by the Lord Himself who knows me by name.

This chapter was also read the first Sunday after the bombing of Baghdad in the Iraq war. You will find this chapter on bandanas that guys in the service wear. Delores prays this chapter during her prayer time for those who serve our country especially when her grandson, Brent, was in active duty.

It was also shared in a service that I attended with Heather in Eagan, MN, 10-28-04.  Please read it more than once and remember that God’s protection is always there for us in the midst of danger.  God doesn’t provide a world free from danger or a life free from hurt but He does provide His help whenever we face danger.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for knowing each of us by name. We love Your protective arms around us at all times but especially the times we are scared or feel insecure. Help us never to forget to call upon You for You are the only one who is faithful and knows what is best for us. Thank You for delivering us out of the pit of sin and into the everlasting place of eternal salvation. We love You!!  We honor You and will pray for Your Will to be done in each of our lives.  You are one special God, and each of us are so glad to have You as our friend.  AMEN