We Aren't Supposed to Pick and Chose Which Rules from the Bible That We Want to Follow

Therefore shall ye observe all My Statutes, and all My judgments, and do them: I am the LORD.  Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 37.

God didn’t say to follow the rules that sound good to us or are convenient for us and leave the rest.  We are to observe them all! [Although God knows none of us is perfect, He still wants us to try to do as He's asked us.] Added

Here are some related passages:
*Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations.  And repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face.  Thou shalt therefore keep the Commandments, and the Statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.  Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which He sware unto thy fathers.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 7, verses 9-12.
*But if ye will not obey the Voice of the LORD, but rebel against the Commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.  1 Samuel, Chapter 12, verse 15.
*The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.  Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.  For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.  Psalm, Chapter 11, verses 5-7.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

No Wizard or Sorcery Books Even If They are Popular

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.  Leviticus, Chapter 19:31.

This tells me that God doesn’t want me watching TV shows where people are trying to get in contact with my deceased loved ones.  He, also, doesn’t want me reading books about wizards and sorcery even though there are many books written for children these days that are very popular with adults, as well.

Here are some related passages:
*And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a-whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.  Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.  And ye shall keep My Statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.  Leviticus, Chapter 20, verses 6-8.
*A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.  Leviticus, Chapter 20, verse 27.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

These Passages List Several Things of Concern

Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.  Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 26.

In addition to the part about not eating things with the blood in it, God is also letting us know that He doesn't want us using enchantments (casting spells-things like witchcraft) or observing time (like horoscopes, etc.).  I get concerned when I see how many weekly television series and movies are devoted to witchcraft or Satanic themes.  It concerns me that this may become so commonplace that people think nothing of it-the same way that using God’s Name in vain has become so common that people don’t even realize they are doing it.
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Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.  Leviticus, Chapter 19, verse 28.

I’m not sure I totally understand this verse, but I thought it was noteworthy because I think it’s possibly talking about tattoos and things like body piercing, although I’m not totally positive.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

God Doesn't Say to Love Each Other Only If...

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.  Leviticus, Chapter 19, verses 17-18.

This is one of many passages where God tells us that we are to love each other.  He doesn’t put a stipulation in there that says, “You are to love each other ONLY IF: they have the right skin color, they have the same sexual preference, they come from the right side-of-the tracks or they have similar beliefs and goals.  We are to be Christians and love everyone! 

There are people that don’t believe in God.  Although, I don’t have to support their beliefs because there is only One God, I’m to love them, to be considerate of them and to not hold grudges against them because their beliefs are different than mine.  If I’m resenting them or treat them in a less than kind manner, I’m the one who isn’t being a good example of how Christ works in my life.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Trusting God's Judgment on This

It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.  Leviticus, Chapter 3, verse 17.

I just thought this was interesting.  I never liked eating fat to start with, but this makes me glad that I don’t eat it.  I thought that the part about not eating meat with the blood in it had more to do with God protecting us from health problems that could arise from the blood.  I recently heard a minister say that Christians weren't to eat meat with the blood in it, because the blood is the life of the animal and it was used in the sacrifices.  There is a passage below that explains this more.  I don’t really know much about all of this.  I just know that if God tells me not to eat fat or meat with the blood in it, then I don’t want to do it.  I don’t have to know all the reasons why.
It’s kind of like when we tell our children that they shouldn’t drink and drive.  We don’t want them to challenge our authority and try to find out first hand about all the consequences that could possibly come from drinking and driving.  It’s not an issue about whether we trust that they know when to stop drinking prior to driving.  It’s not an issue of whether we think they are safe drivers.  (That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to explain some of these consequences to our children.)  What we really want them to do is trust our judgment about this situation and just not drink and drive.  Well, I think God wants us to follow certain things just because He has asked us to.  I think that is a sign of our faith in Him.

Here are some related passages:
*Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.  Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.  Leviticus, Chapter 7, verses 26-27.
*And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set My face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.  And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.  For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.  Leviticus, Chapter 17, verses 10-14.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

God Wants Us to Continue to Provide for Those Less Fortunate

And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat.  In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.  Exodus, Chapter 23, verses 10-11.

I know there is a lot of talk about Welfare Reform.  I, too, want us empowering people instead of enabling them, destroying their work ethic.  We have to be prayerful about what we choose to do with this system.  This passage says that God wants us to provide for the poor.  You’re right; most of us don’t have fields or vineyards to leave fallow the seventh year so they’re available to the less fortunate.  Instead, we provide for the less fortunate through our taxes, giving to related charities and making donations to causes.  We also provide for the needy by giving at church and through legislation to fund these causes.  We need to be careful about how we change this system.  It’s vital that we continue to provide adequate food and medical care for those less fortunate, especially children.
That doesn’t mean giving monthly disability payments to people with learning disabilities or drug and alcohol addictions.  In this case, we may be enabling people because they aren’t motivated to become literate or substance free for fear of losing that income.  Yes, we do need to change things so some people don’t have multiple fictitious addresses to rake in the Welfare checks.  The Welfare Reform needs to allow the Welfare recipient to make the necessary changes with dignity.
Although there are issues to be resolved within the Welfare System, we can’t lose sight of what God has told us to do.  It would be very easy to “throw the baby out with the bath water” while making the necessary changes to the Welfare System.  We need to continue to provide food, medical attention and other needed services for those less fortunate, because that’s what God would want us to do.

Here are some related passages:
*And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.  Leviticus, Chapter 23, verse 22.
*For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.  He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.  Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verses 17-19.
*If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 15, verses 7-8.
*When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.  When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.  When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.  And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 24, verses 19-22.
*For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.  Psalm, Chapter 9, verse 18.
*Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.  The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and Thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.  Psalm, Chapter 41, verses 1-2.
*The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.  Proverbs, Chapter 14, verses 20-21.
*When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.  Isaiah, Chapter 41, verse 17.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Being a "Sell-Out" Christian

And Jacob sod pottage [made something like lentil stew]: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.  And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.  And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do me?  And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.  Genesis, Chapter 25, verses 29-34.

Unfortunately, I can identify with Esau.  I’ve been a “Sell-out Christian,” selling out my ethics more times than I can mention for food.  Food and control are my two biggest vices.  Satan loves to dangle very subtle things in front of us to pull us into his control. 
It’s so easy to sell out our Christian ethics without even realizing it. It might be by things like spending too much time on the computer that our family goes without our presence.  The computer temporarily becomes a priority over our family.  It might be by telling only partial truths.  Of course, we always tell ourselves that we are doing it to protect others.  Do we come up with reasons why we don’t have time to pray, but spend hours in front of the TV? 

There are lots of subtle ways we sell out our Christian ethics without ever noticing.  Esau lived to regret selling his birthright.  I don’t want to live to regret selling out my Christian ethics either.  I don’t want God telling me on the Last Day, “Debbie, I have other accommodations waiting for you, because you don’t deserve a spot in heaven.  You were too busy doing your own thing to be bothered with leading your life as an example of your love for Me.”

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Concerns About the Mark of the Beast

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom.  Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.  Revelation, Chapter 13, verses 16-18.
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.  Revelation, Chapter 14, verse 11.
You don’t have to truly understand things to be careful.  I don’t truly understand why I shouldn’t microwave food in plastic bowls, but credible people have said that this can be harmful, so I just don’t do it!
I can’t attest to understanding all of Revelation or Daniel, Chapter 10 through Chapter 12, but I do know enough to be careful when I see a warning.  It talks about people losing their Salvation by getting the mark of the beast in either their right hand or their forehead.  People won’t able to buy or sell things unless they get this mark.  Every now and then I get concerned when I hear about discussions within the government to take security precautions that might be similar to the mark of the beast.
It’s very commonplace for people to use credit cards to purchase things in stores or over the Internet.  The papers and magazines are riddled with columns about rampant identity theft, not to mention hackers who are hacking into computer systems to get vital information.  I’m concerned that they will institute security measures that are similar to the mark of the beast, whether it’s a number, a computer chip or something else to protect people from identity theft.
What worries me even more, is that I think people will be so excited about having this extra security that protects them, they won’t even realize that they are getting the mark of the beast and are losing their Salvation in the process.  We are warned to have wisdom.  Be cautious about what you do and trust the instincts that God gives you.  He will guide you by these.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie

Horses That Lead Carriages and How it Relates to This Bible Passage?

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live.  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  Revelation, Chapter 13, verses 12-15.

Of course I don’t truly understand all of this, but this passage makes me think of horses that lead carriages.  They put blinders on the horses so that they don’t get distracted and lose their focus and literally get led astray.  I think, as Christians, we need to have the blinders on that only Jesus can provide for us.  Then we won’t be led astray by people appearing to do miraculous things, by cults and other things that could potentially lead us off course.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.

This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 
Please click on comments below to share your suggestions. Thanks! Debbie