Intentional Consumers

Today I’m reading about Jewish dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14:8 (NLT).

“And you may not eat the pig. It has split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is ceremonially unclean for you. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses.”

The following is a “community note” in the YouVersion Bible which I think makes some good points about these laws. Not only were they designed for healthy living, they were also crafted for holy living. It may be ok for us as Christians to eat pork now, but we are still called to live out lives in ways that are “set apart” (holy) from the rest of the world.

“In the dietary laws we can find a pattern of behavior which will be healthful for our souls and spirits. We can choose to feed on the Word, Spirit and presence of God and thereby reap a harvest of emotional and spiritual health. We can live in constant awareness of God and His will for us in the moment or we can become enthralled with that which entertains the mind but starves the soul and spirit of that which will sustain us into eternity.”

Remember the root of “enthrall” is “thrall” which means “slave” in Greek. These instructions apply to us as we consume media as well as eat.

What does it mean to consume media today in ways that are “set apart” and holy for God? I know this begins with intentionality and an awareness of how elements in our media landscape (including some games as well as videos) draw our minds away from God instead of to Him.

I want to be a more intentional consumer, both of food and media. I pray God will give me a spirit of discernment to choose wisely.

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Never Forget God’s Provision

I do not stand here because of my own hard work and deeds. I must never forget God’s constant provision.

Deuteronomy 8:15-18 NLT

“Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Deut8.15.NLT

We Are Called to Wash Feet & Serve

As I read these verses I am challenged to ask, “How am I acting as a servant to others?”

John 13:12-17 NLT

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/John13.12.NLT

The Leavings for the Poor

The Israelites were specifically commanded to not harvest all their crops, but intentionally provide “leavings” which the poor could collect and eat.

I’m thinking it is significant the poor still had to go and collect this food. It was not (in this case) delivered to their doorstep. It required effort and work on their part. It also required intentional action on behalf of the farmers.

I am wondering what our modern corollary should be to “the leavings” of our crops? 

Leviticus 19: 9-10 NLT

““When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev19.9.NLT

Blood Sacrifice Makes You Pure

These verses, written by Moses in the book of Leviticus, explain how blood sacrifice was required for purification in the Israelite temple. This is important to understand when we learn of the life sacrifice of Jesus in the New Testament.

Leviticus 17:10-12 NLT

““And if any native Israelite or foreigner living among you eats or drinks blood in any form, I will turn against that person and cut him off from the community of your people, for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. That is why I have said to the people of Israel, ‘You must never eat or drink blood—neither you nor the foreigners living among you.’”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev17.10.NLT

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