February - Day 22

Leviticus 18-20 - In chapter 19, there is another reference to keeping the sabbath.  It is another reminder that God intended for us to work for 6 days and rest on the seventh.  In these chapters, there a many "don'ts" but all of these fall under the banner of love your neighbor as yourself which we see in 19:18.  Loving others as ourselves means treating people the way that we want to be treated and not doing something to others that we would not want done to us.  Ultimately, God wants us to understand that we are "set-apart" (Holy) from the world, so the world is not our standard or guide for how to live.  God is. 

Psalm 44 - Only by God's power can we have victory in our struggles in life and ultimately against the enemy who wants to destroy us. 

Matthew 20:1-16 - The same grace is offered to all people.  This was a struggle for the Jews who felt as if they had a better standing with God because of their heritage.  The idea that the gentiles got the same grace and same standing with God was a difficult truth to accept.  In this case, those who came last experienced a greater amount of Grace than those who came early.  God's kingdom is not about self righteousness, but about God's righteousness. 

Acts 27:1-26 - Paul tried to tell them not to sail, but they did not listen.  It is important to pay attention to those who offer wisdom from God around us.  When the storm seemed like it was going to take them down, and all hope seemed lost, Paul still had hope.  His hope was not found in what they could see, but in what God had said.  It is important to continually listen to God so that his truth can be our hope in any circumstance.