The Daily Dose

Set apart for His purpose

_{They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. ~ Leviticus 21:6}

Have you ever wondered why God cares so deeply about the way you live, serve, and carry yourself? Sometimes life feels like a constant squeeze of expectations, responsibilities, and pressures. In moments like these, it can be easy to forget that God has marked you with purpose. Today’s reading gives a powerful reminder that God sets apart His priests, not only to keep them holy, but to protect their purpose and empower their calling. God does the same for you. When He sets you apart, He does it because your life carries meaning, value, and influence.

In this chapter, the priests were entrusted with responsibilities that required intentional living. Their calling was unique, and God gave them instructions so they could remain positioned for His presence. This chapter is not just about rules, it is about purpose. It reminds you that whenever God calls you, He equips you, preserves you, and prepares you for everything He has placed in front of you.

There are three points that I want to focus on today.

1. You are entrusted with influence

God gave the priests responsibilities that impacted the spiritual lives of the people. In the same way, God has entrusted you with influence right where you are. Your words, decisions, and actions carry weight.

Look for one place today where you can bring encouragement or strength. Speak life to someone who seems tired. Offer help without being asked. Your influence grows every time you choose kindness and courage.

2. You are protected by God’s covering

The priests were protected through boundaries that God set for their good. Those boundaries were not limitations. They were safeguards that kept them close to Him. God has placed His covering over your life as well.

When you sense God nudging you away from a situation, conversation, or habit, choose to step back. Trust that His “no” is protecting something valuable in you. Ask God to show you where He is keeping you safe.

3. You are prepared for what God has called you to do

The priests were prepared and set apart so they could carry out their calling. God prepares you the same way. He uses experiences, challenges, and lessons to equip you for what is next. Nothing in your life is wasted.

Take one step today toward something God has placed in your heart. Start the project, make the call, ask the question, or commit to learning something new. Preparation starts with simple obedience.

In full honesty, I once believed purpose was only for certain people. I thought I had to earn it or reach a level of perfection before God could use me. But over time, God showed me that purpose begins with willingness. Every time I said yes to something small, He opened a door to something bigger. I started noticing how He used simple moments, quiet decisions, and unseen obedience to build strength in me. I found confidence in places I once felt unsure, and I began to see how God had been preparing me long before I realized it. What felt ordinary became meaningful when I surrendered it to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to carry yourself with confidence in the purpose God has placed on your life. God has entrusted you with influence, He has covered you with His protection, and He is preparing you for everything He has spoken over you. You are set apart for something meaningful, and God is shaping you every day to walk it out boldly.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 21

1 And the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘None shall defile himself for the dead among his people, 

2 except for his relatives who are nearest to him: his mother, his father, his son, his daughter, and his brother; 

3 also his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband, for her he may defile himself. 

4 Otherwise he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

5 ‘They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 

6 They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. 

7 They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or a defiled woman, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for the priest is holy to his God. 

8 Therefore you shall consecrate him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I the Lord, who sanctify you, am holy. 

9 The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the harlot, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.

10 ‘He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes; 

11 nor shall he go near any dead body, nor defile himself for his father or his mother; 

12 nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the Lord. 

13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 

14 A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot—these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife. 

15 Nor shall he profane his posterity among his people, for I the Lord sanctify him.’ ”

16 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

17 “Speak to Aaron, saying: ‘No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God. 

18 For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred face or any limb too long, 

19 a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, 

20 or is a hunchback or a dwarf, or a man who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scab, or is a eunuch. 

21 No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the Lord. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 

22 He may eat the bread of his God, both the most holy and the holy; 

23 only he shall not go near the veil or approach the altar, because he has a defect, lest he profane My sanctuaries; for I the Lord sanctify them.’ ”

24 And Moses told it to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

Journal:

• What part of my life shows that God has entrusted me with influence?
• Where do I sense God protecting me, even if I don’t fully understand it?
• What is one area where I can take a step of obedience toward my purpose today?

Set apart fully for God

Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 20:7

Have you ever paused in the middle of a decision and wondered why choosing God’s way sometimes feels harder at first but always brings more peace in the end? Leviticus 20 reminds you that God is not trying to restrict your life. He is inviting you to experience a life that is set apart, protected, and blessed. In today’s world, where compromise is common and truth is often blurred, God gently calls you to live with purpose, conviction, and closeness to Him.

There are three important truths in this passage that I want to focus on today, each one showing how to walk out holiness in a real and practical way.

1. God calls you to a higher standard

God was not restricting His people. He was protecting them. His instructions were meant to guard their hearts, keep their identity strong, and help them stay connected to Him. When you face choices that test your convictions, pause and ask, “Does this honor God or pull me away from Him?” You can respond by choosing the option that brings you peace and integrity even when it is unpopular. One way to do this is to slow down before making decisions and ask God for wisdom, then choose the path that strengthens your spiritual life instead of draining it.

2. God desires to protect what He has placed in you

Just as God protected Israel from harmful influences, He protects the purpose He placed inside you. He knows the environments and connections that help you grow and the ones that harm your soul. When you sense God nudging you away from something that seems normal to others, trust that He sees what you cannot. Practice this by paying attention to anything that steals your joy or pulls your thoughts away from God, then choose what brings you closer to peace, purpose, and spiritual strength.

3. God wants you to live in the blessings He designed for you

The call to holiness is not about perfection. It is about direction. God leads you toward the life filled with His goodness and favor that He designed for you before you were born. Every time you choose His way, you step into more of what He has planned for you. You can apply this by inviting God into your daily routines. Ask Him to guide your words, your schedule, and your decisions, then follow His leading even when it requires courage.

In full transparency, I did not lived this holy life for many of my years. Take it from someone who has experienced the difference and I assure you that God’s way is the better way. Living holy used to feel overwhelming because I thought I had to get everything right. Over time, I learned that God was not asking me for perfection. He was inviting me into closeness with Him. Every time I made a simple choice to honor Him, even when it felt inconvenient, I sensed His peace settle over my life. I gained clarity about who I was and what He wanted for me. These moments of obedience became turning points in my journey with Him and still are today.

Today I want to encourage you to choose God’s way one decision at a time. You do not have to be perfect. You only have to be willing. God is calling you to a life that is set apart so you can experience His protection, His peace, and His best. Holiness is not a burden. It is a pathway to blessing.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 20

1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Again, you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘Whoever of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell in Israel, who gives any of his descendants to Molech, he shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone him with stones. 

3 I will set My face against that man, and will cut him off from his people, because he has given some of his descendants to Molech, to defile My sanctuary and profane My holy name. 

4 And if the people of the land should in any way hide their eyes from the man, when he gives some of his descendants to Molech, and they do not kill him, 

5 then I will set My face against that man and against his family; and I will cut him off from his people, and all who prostitute themselves with him to commit harlotry with Molech.

6 ‘And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. 

7 Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 

8 And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

9 ‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.

10 ‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death. 

11 The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. 

12 If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have committed perversion. Their blood shall be upon them. 13If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. 

14 If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you. 

15 If a man mates with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal. 

16 If a woman approaches any animal and mates with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood is upon them.

17 ‘If a man takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his guilt. 

18 If a man lies with a woman during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness, he has exposed her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from their people.

19 ‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister nor of your father’s sister, for that would uncover his near of kin. They shall bear their guilt. 

20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 

21 If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

22 ‘You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 

23 And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them. 

24 But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. 

25 You shall therefore distinguish between clean animals and unclean, between unclean birds and clean, and you shall not make yourselves abominable by beast or by bird, or by any kind of living thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 

26 And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

27 ‘A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them.’ ”

Journal:

• What areas of my life feel the hardest to surrender to God’s way?
• Where have I experienced peace when I chose obedience?
• What is one decision I can make today that will draw me closer to God?

Obtain help from God

_{Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come. ~ Acts 26:22}

I have had many opportunities in my lifetime to call out to God for help. He was always faithful to rescue me, even when the messes I was in were because of my own bad choices. Most of the time, God’s help did not show up the way I imagined it would. I could dream up elaborate ways He might rescue me, but His ways were usually simple and subtle. One example is the many times I fell behind on bills as a single mom. I would imagine a sudden increase of income coming in so there would be no more struggle. But the help I received in those moments was always exactly what I needed for that day. Of course, I was thankful, but I didn’t understand why He didn’t send a huge overflow. Now as I look back, I can see that He stayed with me step by step. By meeting my needs one at a time, He taught me to keep calling on Him as the next need came up.

Now I call on Him before the needs come. I talk with Him first thing in the morning so I never have to worry about the supply for that day. I know He is with me and I know He is providing, again step by step.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul told King Agrippa that he obtained help from God. I am sure that when Paul cried out for help, he never imagined that part of that help would include being dragged off to prison. It did not look like help, but the help God gave him was grace to carry out God’s plan right in the middle of difficult circumstances. Paul obtained help from God to be obedient to the heavenly vision Jesus gave him, to turn people toward repentance, and to do good works that showed the transformation happening in his life. He did all of this with God’s help wherever he found himself. He did not pray to escape hardship, although God often delivered him. He prayed for grace to continue doing the will of God.

What about you? Do you obtain help from God in times of trouble? Often His help looks different than what you imagine. God shows up when you call on Him, but rarely in the timing or the way you expect. His grace flows into your weaknesses and strengthens you to stand. He does not simply conquer the problem for you. He makes you more than a conqueror and gives you the power to overcome what once overwhelmed you.

Here are some ways to apply this message in your everyday life:

• Begin each day by talking to God about the day ahead, asking Him to guide your steps.
• invite Him into the places where you feel pressure or fear so His strength can rise up inside you.
• Trust Him to provide the help you need in the moment you need it, even when His answer looks different than what you imagined.
•  Keep your heart open to His direction so you can obey each leading of the Holy Spirit.
• Thank Him when the help arrives, even if it feels small, and watch how He shows you His faithfulness over time.

Here is how to get started:

• Set aside a few quiet moments when you wake up and ask God to walk with you through the entire day.
• Tell Him honestly where you feel weak or unsure so He can meet you there.
• Pay attention to the small helps He sends, such as a solution, an idea, or unexpected peace.
• End your day by thanking Him for the strength He gave you, even in the moments that felt ordinary.

Today I want to encourage you to obtain help from God in every part of your life. Calling on Him when trouble comes is good, but calling on Him before the trouble arrives is way better. Start your day by asking Him to prepare your path and to stand with you in anything unexpected. He does not cause the trouble, but He gives you the grace and strength you need to walk through every situation with victory. The same God who helped Paul stand boldly before kings is the same God helping you today.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:19-23

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 

21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 

22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— 

23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Journal:

• Where do I most need God’s help in this season of my life?
• How do I usually imagine God will help me, and how has He shown up differently?
• What small helps has God given me recently that I may have overlooked?
• How can I begin calling on Him before trouble comes instead of only during difficult moments?
• What steps can I take to obey Him in the place I am standing right now?

A Light from heaven

At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ~ Acts 26:13

I lived in the dark for a lot of years. I had the Light inside me, but He was buried deep down and could not be seen. Then one day I realized that I no longer wanted to hide Him. I turned back in the direction of my Lord and began to follow Him. Now His Light shines for all to see in my life. When I go out into the dark world, I bring Him with me to light my steps along His path. Sometimes people are drawn to the light and sometimes they run away. His light can be blinding to those who have been in the dark for so long. They fear the Light because they do not understand what it is.

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul told Festus and Agrippa about the day he was knocked to the ground by the light of Love. His testimony about the day he met Jesus is an extraordinary picture of what takes place in the heart of every person who encounters the Lord Jesus. It unfolds in a few simple movements.

1. One day in every person’s life they hear about or experience the presence of God. He comes as a bright light that exposes the darkness an individual is living in. This meeting places them before the transforming power of God’s love, shown through the blood of Jesus. His light penetrates even the darkest corners and proves that no darkness is stronger than His love when it is received.
2. When the light comes, the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart. He reveals God’s desire to have a personal relationship with each person and to guide them out of the darkness. This is when each one is faced with the decision to receive or reject the invitation of His love.
3. Once the Light is received, a call comes. Just as Paul heard Jesus speak to him on the road, each one hears the call to follow Him and turn in a new direction. This is the moment to repent and walk into the life God designed.
4. At that point, Jesus rescues that person from the darkness they once walked in. Now they carry the Light of God within them wherever they go. These are the ones who shine His presence into the world so others can find their way out of the pits of life and into His marvelous love.
5. Others begin to hear the message of salvation and forgiveness. They no longer have to wander in the dark, guessing at every turn. They begin to live in the light and can help lead others toward His goodness.

What about you? You have had your own version of a Damascus Road experience. It may not have been as dramatic as Paul’s moment, but it changed your life like nothing else ever could. You carry His light and His love. You can share that message with those who need the light to break through their own darkness. As you shine, you will lead others into the freedom and hope you have found.

Here is how you can begin today:

• Ask God to make His light shine clearly through your life today, then take one intentional step to show His love to someone who is hurting.
• Spend quiet time talking with the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to reveal any area of your life that needs His light so you can walk in greater freedom.
• Think about one person who may be walking through darkness, then reach out with encouragement, prayer, or a simple word of hope.
• Start your day by speaking out loud that you belong to Jesus and that His light guides your steps. Say it until it becomes confidence inside your heart.

• Read Acts 26 slowly and imagine what it must have been like for Paul to encounter that light.
• Write down one step of obedience you can take immediately and commit the day to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to welcome the light of Jesus into your life in a fresh way. Let His presence shine through every word you speak and every choice you make. If you have never experienced the light of heaven personally, invite Him into your life and turn your heart in His direction. He receives all who come to Him. When you do, you will encounter His light and then carry it with you for others to see His great love and salvation.

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:12-18

12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 

13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 

14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 

15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 

16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 

17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 

18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Journal:

• When did I first experience the light of God in my life?
• What areas of my heart still feel like they need His light today?
• Who in my life needs encouragement, hope, or a reminder of God’s love?
• What simple step can I take today to shine His light in a dark place?

A life set apart

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. ~ Leviticus 19:2

Have you ever wondered what it truly looks like to live differently in a world that normalizes compromise? Everywhere you turn, people are defining truth by what feels good instead of what God says is right. It can leave you questioning how to stand strong when everything around you seems to go in the opposite direction.

Leviticus 19 gives a simple answer. God calls His people to live set apart. This chapter is full of practical instructions that show what holiness looks like in day-to-day living. It is not about perfection. It is about choosing God’s ways over the world’s ways, one decision at a time. It is not “blind faith,” it is a response that grows from trusting His faithfulness and knowing that His way is the blessed way.

Here are three truths from Leviticus 19 that help you walk this out today:

1. Holiness starts in the heart

God begins by addressing the condition of the heart. He tells His people to love Him fully, honor others, and avoid anything that corrupts their inner life. Holiness is not just about avoiding wrong actions, it is about cultivating a heart that desires Him more than anything else.

When you feel tempted to entertain thoughts that drain your peace or stir up fear or comparison, stop and invite God into that moment. Ask Him to give you thoughts that build up your mind and bring you closer to His presence.

2. Holiness is seen in how you treat people

Throughout this chapter, God repeatedly points His people back to kindness, honesty, and compassion. He commands them to leave the edges of their fields for the poor, avoid gossip, refuse to hold grudges, and love their neighbors as themselves. In a world driven by self, God calls you to choose love above everything.

The next time someone irritates you or disappoints you, pause before responding. Choose a tone or a word that brings peace instead of tension. Even a small act of kindness can soften a hard moment and make room for God to work.

3. Holiness requires intentional obedience

Leviticus 19 shows that holiness is not accidental. It happens through simple choices made one step at a time. God’s instructions were clear because He wanted His people to thrive. Your obedience today positions you for His blessed life tomorrow.

Take one intentional step of obedience in an area where you have felt hesitant. It might be forgiving someone, giving generously, or saying yes to something God has placed on your heart. Each small step strengthens your walk with Him.

In full transparency, I did not live a holy life for many years. But take it from someone who has experienced both sides, God’s way is the better way. Living holy once felt overwhelming because I believed I had to get everything right. Over time the Holy Spirit has shown me that He is not asking for perfection. He was inviting me into closeness with Him. Each time I made a simple choice to honor Him, even when it feels inconvenient, His peace settles over my life. Now I can see more clearly who I was and what He desired for me. Those small moments of obedience have became powerful turning points in my journey as a child of the most High God.

Today I want to encourage you to choose holiness one decision at a time. You do not have to fear falling short. God’s grace meets you at every step. When you choose His ways over the world’s noise, you step into the peace, favor, and purpose He has prepared for you. Holiness is not a burden. It is the pathway to the abundant life your heart has been longing for.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 19

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

3 ‘Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

4 ‘Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the Lord your God.

5 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, you shall offer it of your own free will. 

6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day. And if any remains until the third day, it shall be burned in the fire. 

7 And if it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It shall not be accepted. 

8 Therefore everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the hallowed offering of the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from his people.

9 ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 

10 And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.

11 ‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. 

12 And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

13 ‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. 

14 You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. 

16 You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 

18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

19 ‘You shall keep My statutes. You shall not let your livestock breed with another kind. You shall not sow your field with mixed seed. Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you.

20 ‘Whoever lies carnally with a woman who is betrothed to a man as a concubine, and who has not at all been redeemed nor given her freedom, for this there shall be scourging; but they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 

21 And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, a ram as a trespass offering. 

22 The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the Lord for his sin which he has committed. And the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.

23 ‘When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as uncircumcised. Three years it shall be as uncircumcised to you. It shall not be eaten. 

24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord. 

25 And in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, that it may yield to you its increase: I am the Lord your God.

26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. 

27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 

28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.

29 ‘Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness.

30 ‘You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.

31 ‘Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

32 ‘You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.

33 ‘And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. 

34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

35 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. 

36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 ‘Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord.’ ”

Journal:

• What is one area of my heart where God is inviting me to choose holiness today?
• How can I show God’s love to someone who has been difficult for me to deal with lately?
• What is one step of obedience I can take this week that will draw me closer to God’s plan for my life?

Living set apart in a blurry world

You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. ~ Leviticus 18:4

Have you ever felt like the world around you keeps blurring the lines of what is right and wrong? Everywhere you turn, culture pushes its own version of truth, values, and identity. It can be overwhelming to stay steady when so many “voices” are calling for your attention. Leviticus 18 reminds us that God has always called His people to live differently. He calls His children to walk a path that leads to life, holiness, and blessing, even when the world is walking the opposite direction.

In this chapter, God gave Israel very specific instructions about how to live in a morally corrupt culture. They were surrounded by nations that normalized impurity and celebrated what God called destructive. His command was simple. Do not copy their behavior. Live the way I have shown you. That same invitation still stands today. In a culture that often encourages compromise, God calls His people to live set apart with confidence and courage.

Here are three truths we can hold onto as we walk out that calling

1. God calls you to a higher standard

God was not restricting His people. He was protecting them. His laws were meant to preserve their identity, their purpose, and their closeness to Him.

When you face choices that challenge your convictions, pause and ask, “Does this honor God or pull me away from Him?” You can respond by choosing the option that leads you closer to peace and integrity, even if it is unpopular. Remember, your Father in heaven isn’t trying to control you, He wants the very best for you in every situation, and He has designed a life for you that is full of blessing. His desire is to lead you into it

2. God equips you to stand firm in a compromising world

Israel did not have to follow the nations around them. God had already set them apart and equipped them to live in His truth. You have that same power through the Holy Spirit.

When you feel pressure to give in to cultural expectations, speak a simple prayer. “Holy Spirit, strengthen me right now.” Then take one step in obedience, such as walking away from a conversation that dishonors God or choosing purity in a moment of temptation.

3. God blesses obedience with protection and peace

Living God’s way brings life. The world promises temporary comfort and thrill, but God promises wholeness and blessing. His boundaries are not burdens. They are safeguards and they lead to a long healthy life.

Identify one area where you know God is calling you higher, such as habits, relationships, or entertainment choices. Commit to one small change today that invites His peace into that area.

There have been times in my life when I knew God was calling me to live at a higher level, yet doing the right thing felt too hard, uncomfortable and lonely. I wanted to please people more than I wanted to honor God. Every time I chose His way over my feelings, I found strength I did not know I had. I saw His protection in places I could not see at the time. Looking back, I am grateful that God’s boundaries kept me from walking into harm I didn’t even know was waiting for me.

Today I want to encourage you to rise above the noise of the world and live set apart with confidence. God has chosen you, called you, and equipped you to stand strong. You do not have to compromise to belong, and you do not have to lower your standards to fit in. His way leads to life. His presence gives you strength. His truth secures your steps. Walk boldly today knowing that when you choose God’s path, you walk in blessing, protection, and purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 18

1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. 

3 According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances. 

4 You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. 

5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.

6 ‘None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the Lord. 

7 The nakedness of your father or the nakedness of your mother you shall not uncover. She is your mother; you shall not uncover her nakedness. 

8 The nakedness of your father’s wife you shall not uncover; it is your father’s nakedness. 

9 The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover. 

10 The nakedness of your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, their nakedness you shall not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness. 

11 The nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, begotten by your father—she is your sister—you shall not uncover her nakedness. 

12 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister; she is near of kin to your father. 

13 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is near of kin to your mother. 

14 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife; she is your aunt. 

15 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law—she is your son’s wife—you shall not uncover her nakedness. 

16 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife; it is your brother’s nakedness. 

17 You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near of kin to her. It is wickedness. 

18 Nor shall you take a woman as a rival to her sister, to uncover her nakedness while the other is alive.

19 ‘Also you shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness as long as she is in her customary impurity. 

20 Moreover you shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, to defile yourself with her. 

21 And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. 

23 Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion.

24 ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 

25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. 

26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 

27 (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 

28 lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. 

29 For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

30 ‘Therefore you shall keep My ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God.’ ”

Journal:

• What areas of my life feel most influenced by the world around me?
• Where do I sense God calling me to a higher standard today?
• What is one practical change I can make this week to walk in holiness with confidence?

The life that belongs to God

_{For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ ~ Leviticus 17:11}

Have you ever wondered why certain boundaries in your life matter to God so deeply? Sometimes His instructions feel restrictive at first, yet underneath them is a purpose that protects you, strengthens you, and keeps your heart close to His. Leviticus 17 is a chapter where God teaches Israel the sacredness of life and the seriousness of worship. Even though the details are ancient, the message still speaks clearly today. God cares about how you live, who you worship, and what you allow to influence your heart.

Here are three truths found in Leviticus 17 and how you can walk in them today

1. Honor God with the life He has given you

In this chapter, God teaches Israel that life is in the blood and should never be treated casually. In today’s world, you honor God by recognizing that your life is not random. It is sacred and set apart for His purpose.

Start your day by dedicating your time, energy, conversations, and decisions to God. You can pray, “God, use my life today for Your purpose.” This simple moment helps you walk through your day with purpose and care.

2. Keep your worship centered on God alone

God warned His people not to offer sacrifices anywhere they pleased. He called them to bring everything to Him alone. In our world, distractions pull your attention in many directions. It becomes easy to give your heart to things that do not deserve it.

Choose one moment in your day when you feel overwhelmed or scattered and pause to invite God into it. Say, “Father, You are the center of my life. Help me to stay focused on You.” This keeps your heart grounded in His presence.

3. Stay away from influences that pull you from God

God told the people not to follow the practices of the surrounding nations because those practices would turn them away from Him. Even now, influences that weaken your faith try to creep in through conversations, entertainment, relationships, or habits.

Identify one influence in your life that drains your spiritual strength. Ask God to help you remove it or replace it with something that builds you up. This small shift can bring peace and clarity to your day.

There have been times in my own life when I allowed too many distractions to crowd my mind. I was trying to do everything on my own, yet my heart started drifting into worry and frustration. It was only when I recognized that God was calling me to draw close again that I got His peace back in my heart and in my life. As soon as I turned my attention back to Him, the things that once overwhelmed me became manageable because His presence filled the spaces where pressure once lived.

Today I want to encourage you to honor the life God has given you, keep your focus centered on Him, and guard your heart from anything that weakens your faith. God is inviting you to walk closely with Him, and as you draw near, His strength, peace, and purpose will fill every part of your day. He is faithful to guide you, sustain you, and bless the life that belongs to Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 17

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

2 “Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying: 

3 “Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, 

4 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people, 

5 to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the Lord. 

6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord. 

7 They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” ’

8 “Also you shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 

9 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.

10 ‘And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 

11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ 

12 Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’

13 “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; 

14 for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore, I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’

15 “And every person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a native of your own country or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean. 

16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt.”

Journal:

• What is one area of my life today that I need to dedicate more intentionally to God?
• What distractions have been pulling my attention away from His presence?
• What is one influence I can remove or change so I can stay spiritually strong?

The way to draw near

For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. ~ Leviticus 16:30

Have you ever felt like there was something standing between you and God? Maybe a mistake you made, a moment you wish you could take back, or a struggle that keeps showing up in your life. Sometimes it feels as though there is a distance you cannot cross, even when your heart longs to be close to Him.  In today’s world, people are surrounded by noise, pressure, and constant demands, and it becomes easy to feel disconnected from the One who brings peace.

Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, a sacred day when the high priest entered the most holy place on behalf of the people. It was the moment when God provided a way for His people to be cleansed, restored, and reconnected with Him. Even though the rituals in this chapter were specific to Israel’s worship, the heart behind them still speaks powerfully today. God still makes a way for His people to draw near, to be restored, and to live with a clean heart before Him.

Here are three truths from this chapter that continue to guide believers today:

1. God Provides a Way to Come Close

The people could not enter God’s presence on their own, the high priest made atonement for them.

When you feel unworthy or distant, pause and pray. Say, “Lord, I come because You made the way.” Bring your guilt, your confusion, or your struggles to Him and trust that your salvation in Jesus has opened the path for you to draw near to your heavenly Father.

2. God Removes What Stands Between You and Him

The scapegoat carried the sins of the people far away. It was a picture of complete removal, not partial forgiveness.

When you feel weighed down by past failures, write them out in prayer and then say out loud, “Lord, You have carried this away from me when Jesus paid the debt I owed when He died on the cross.” Choose to believe that what God has forgiven no longer defines your present or your future. Jesus blood and the price He paid is greater than anything you are carrying in your life that holds you back.

3. God Invites You to Start Fresh

The Day of Atonement offered a reset for the entire community, a moment to begin again with a clean heart.

When life feels cluttered or overwhelming, take a moment and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to release so I can start fresh today?” Then take one small step, such as setting aside five minutes for prayer, offering forgiveness to someone, or choosing a calmer response when you feel pressured.

There have been many moments in my life when I tried to carry everything on my own. I wanted to fix what was broken and handle the weight of my worries without involving God. Those were the moments when I felt the most distant from Him. But each time I chose to open my heart and invite Him to carry my burdens away, He removed the heaviness I was holding. He gave me renewed strength and reminded me that He truly does make a way to come close.

Today I want to encourage you to come boldly before the God who made a way for you. You do not have to carry guilt, fear, or pressure by yourself. Just as God cleansed and restored His people in Leviticus, He is doing the same in your life today. Trust Him with every burden, welcome His cleansing work in your heart, and step into the fresh start He offers you each day.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 16

1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the Lord, and died; 

2 and the Lord said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

3 “Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering. 

4 He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. 

5 And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 

7 He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

8 Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. 

9 And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell and offer it as a sin offering. 

10 But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

11 “And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. 

12 Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. 

13 And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die. 

14 He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 

16 So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 

17 There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. 

18 And he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar all around. 

19 Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20 “And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. 

21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 

22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

23 “Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 

24 And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people. 

25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar. 

26 And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. 

27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. And they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their offal. 

28 Then he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.

29 “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. 

30 For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 

31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 

32 And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments; 

33 then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 

34 This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.

Journal:

• What is one area of your life where you want to draw closer to God?
• What burden do you sense Him asking you to release today?
• How can you take one small step to respond to His invitation to start fresh?

Living clean in an unclean world

‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them.  ~ Leviticus 15:31

Leviticus 15 is one of those chapters most people read over quickly or even skip. Yet tucked inside its instructions is a powerful truth. God cares deeply about what flows into my life and what flows out of my life. In today’s world, where everything feels loud, fast, and often spiritually messy, this passage gives a gentle reminder that purity still matters. Here is a question to consider. What am I allowing to influence the condition of my heart

This chapter deals with physical uncleanness, but in my life today the principle reaches far deeper than outward rituals. It speaks to the private battles, the thoughts I carry, the emotions I let settle, and the habits that quietly shape who I am becoming. God is not pointing out impurity to shame me. He is calling me toward wholeness so I can live in His presence with confidence and joy, free from sin’s guilt and stains.

Below are three takeaways for you to consider today:

1. Purity Requires Personal Awareness

Before anyone could be declared clean, they had to recognize that something was off inside. My spiritual life grows stronger when I stay aware of what affects my heart.
I can put this into practice daily by pausing in quiet moments and asking God to show me where unhealthy attitudes, words, or habits have begun to drain my strength. If I have been easily irritated, discouraged, or overwhelmed, I can invite God into those spaces so He can renew me.

2. Purity Requires a Willing Response

In Leviticus 15, action had to follow awareness. People were required to wash, wait, and let the cleansing process take effect. Spiritual health works the same way for us today.
If God reveals an unhealthy pattern, I can choose a new response. If I have been worrying, I can give my concerns to Him in prayer. If I have been frustrated with someone, I can choose forgiveness. If I have been carrying emotional heaviness, I can bring it to God and ask Him to wash over my heart with peace.

3. Purity Makes Room for God’s Presence

God wanted His people to stay clean so they could enjoy His presence without anything interfering. When I let God purify the places inside me, I make room for His Spirit, His peace, and His direction.
I can create space for God by letting go of whatever crowds my mind. I can release distractions, slow down, pray with honesty, and sit with the awareness that God is near and willing to help me walk in purity.

There have been many moments in my life when I knew something inside me needed God’s cleansing. I remember times when I carried heaviness or frustration without even noticing how much it affected my thoughts and my conversations. As soon as I brought it to God and invited Him to purify my heart, I felt renewed strength and clarity. Those moments have shown me that God does not point out the impurities to condemn me. He reveals them so He can heal me and help me move forward with peace.

Today I want to encourage you to let God highlight the places where He wants to bring cleansing and renewal. He is not pushing you away. He is drawing you closer. Let Him wash away anything that drains your joy or steals your peace. Let Him purify your heart so you can move into this next season with strength, confidence, and a fresh awareness of His presence.

Today’s scripture reading: Leviticus 15

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 

2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. 

3 And this shall be his uncleanness in regard to his discharge—whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is stopped up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. 

4 Every bed is unclean on which he who has the discharge lies, and everything on which he sits shall be unclean. 

5 And whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

6 He who sits on anything on which he who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

7 And he who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

8 If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

9 Any saddle on which he who has the discharge rides shall be unclean. 

10 Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until evening. He who carries any of those things shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

11 And whomever the one who has the discharge touches, and has not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

12 The vessel of earth that he who has the discharge touches shall be broken, and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13 ‘And when he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count for himself seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in running water; then he shall be clean. 

14 On the eighth day he shall take for himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and come before the Lord, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and give them to the priest. 

15 Then the priest shall offer them, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord because of his discharge.

16 ‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall wash all his body in water, and be unclean until evening. 

17 And any garment and any leather on which there is semen, it shall be washed with water, and be unclean until evening. 

18 Also, when a woman lies with a man, and there is an emission of semen, they shall bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.

19 ‘If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. 

20 Everything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; also everything that she sits on shall be unclean. 

21 Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

22 And whoever touches anything that she sat on shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. 

23 If anything is on her bed or on anything on which she sits, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until evening. 

24 And if any man lies with her at all, so that her impurity is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed on which he lies shall be unclean.

25 ‘If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean. 

26 Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her impurity; and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her impurity. 

27 Whoever touches those things shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.

28 ‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 

29 And on the eighth day she shall take for herself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 

30 Then the priest shall offer the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for her before the Lord for the discharge of her uncleanness.

31 ‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness when they defile My tabernacle that is among them. 

32 This is the law for one who has a discharge, and for him who emits semen and is unclean thereby, 

33 and for her who is indisposed because of her customary impurity, and for one who has a discharge, either man or woman, and for him who lies with her who is unclean.’ ”

Journal:

• What has been draining my spiritual energy lately
• What emotions or habits do I need to bring before God for cleansing
• Where do I sense God inviting me into renewal
• What practical steps can I take to walk in purity this week
• How can I make more room for God’s presence in my daily life

What about the past

Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.  ~ Acts 26:9-10

It’s been about twenty years now that I have been living my life by listening to and following the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading. I do not always get it perfectly, but when I feel unsure about steps I need to take, I quickly run to Him for help. I do not want to get off course again like I did for so many years. For the first few years, I struggled with forgiving myself for the messes I had made and the poor decisions I carried out. I did not know how to keep my thoughts from returning to the past and despising myself for drifting so far from my loving heavenly Father. I remember the specific day the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart about letting go of that unforgiveness. He showed me that I was raising my sinful past above the power of the blood of Jesus to forgive me. By holding on to those painful feelings, I was actually putting a wall between my Savior and me. From that day on, whenever those feelings tried to rise up in my heart, I immediately began to thank God for rescuing me and pulling me out of the pits I had fallen into so many times and cleansing me from all the unrighteousness I had committed.

Now, years later, I still do not like many of the things I did, but God is now using those experiences as testimonies to help others. He has placed me in situations where I am able to encourage people who are struggling in the same ways I once did. My hope is to help some avoid falling as far as I did and to help them stay close to their Father when temptations come.

Today’s reading is about Paul giving his testimony before King Agrippa. Paul started at the beginning of his life and shared how the things he was experiencing that day were connected to many of his earlier decisions. In that moment, God was using Paul’s life as a witness of His goodness and faithfulness. Paul was able to explain how he arrived at that point and how God was with him. God turned Paul’s painful past into an avenue to reach lives and preach the gospel.

He will do that for you too. If you have made mistakes in the past or if you have not followed God’s plan and have been doing things your own way, you can change that today. Much like Paul on the road to Damascus, you can turn your life over to God and He will make a testimony out of it. He will lead you on a path that allows you to help others who are struggling in the same areas, and you will be able to come alongside them and help them step closer to their Father in heaven.

Here is how you can begin today:

• Spend time talking to God about anything in your past that still pulls at your heart, then ask Him to help you let it go completely.
• Start thanking God every time old thoughts try to return, because gratitude keeps you connected to His truth and not your past.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one person who might need encouragement from the things you have overcome, then be open to His leading.
• Read Acts 26 slowly and pay attention to how Paul spoke honestly about his past while giving all the glory to God.

Start by finding a quiet place, pray honestly, and ask God to show you anything from your past that still weighs on you. Write down how God has already helped you and thank Him for every moment of mercy. Ask Him to open doors for you to share your story with someone who needs hope.

Today I want to encourage you to release anything from your past that you are still holding against yourself. Let forgiveness flow freely, then ask the Holy Spirit to help you step forward without the heaviness you once carried. When your heart becomes free, ask Him to guide you toward someone who needs the hope you now walk in. As you do, thank God for turning your pain into peace and transforming your past into a testimony that brings Him glory.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:1-11

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”

So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 

2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 

3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 

5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 

7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 

8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?

9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 

10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 

11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

 Journal:

• What specific parts of my past do I still struggle to forgive myself for?
• How has God already shown mercy to me in those areas?
• Who in my life might need encouragement from my testimony?
• What steps can I take this week to move forward with renewed confidence in God’s forgiveness?