031 Exodus 28 – 31; John 19:16 – 19:42
On page 154, in the first and second paragraph, God tells Aaron that: ‘..every day you are to offer a sacrifice to God one in the morning and one in the evening. This is to be your regular daily practice.’ God has now ordained Aaron and his sons as priests of the most high and this is to be their regular daily practice. Think about all the instructions that go with that sacrifice and all the other ways to please God. This is a good time to remember that God is showing them how to worship Him. Egypt was a polytheistic culture and God is saying, ‘That is not me so forget those practices that you witnessed over the past 430 years.’ Worship the Lord your God this way. How to worship is important as you can see by the detail.
Jesus is crucified. In Hebrews 10:14, the Bible tells us that Christ died once and all for our sin. Praise the Lord! Every day your practice is to be as priests before God, not to sacrifice a Lamb, but to offer the sacrifice of praise to Christ our King. We should just praise Christ for that alone. I hope while you are reading the O.T. that you gain some perspective on how good we have it.
Praise your God and Savior this day and everyday.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
030 Friday, January 30, 2009
030 Exodus 24 – 27; John 19.1 – 19.15
“They will worship from a distance; only Moses will approach God.” Moses did not get to enter the promise land but he did enter the presence of God in a very unique way. The core group had been invited to the mountain but only Moses goes into God's presence.
God tells Moses to climb higher up the mountain and this is where we learn that Joshua, his assistant, is with him. I often think how impacting this must have been for Joshua to be this close to the action. A lady came up to me this past Sunday and told me a story and then said, "It's such a privilege to have a front row seat to seeing God work." Joshua had a front row seat and Moses was on the stage.
Moses entered the middle of the cloud and climbed the mountain. Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. In the next line we read God spoke to Moses. The power, the calm, the awesome experience this must have been for Moses is incomprehensible. God was instructing him and preparing him for works of service for God's glory.
What has God been doing lately to prepare you for works of service? Have you had a front row seat or have you been on the stage. What has God said to you? Write it down. Pray over it. Seek God while you pray for discernment. God always prepares a person for the new ministry that He is ready to start.
“They will worship from a distance; only Moses will approach God.” Moses did not get to enter the promise land but he did enter the presence of God in a very unique way. The core group had been invited to the mountain but only Moses goes into God's presence.
God tells Moses to climb higher up the mountain and this is where we learn that Joshua, his assistant, is with him. I often think how impacting this must have been for Joshua to be this close to the action. A lady came up to me this past Sunday and told me a story and then said, "It's such a privilege to have a front row seat to seeing God work." Joshua had a front row seat and Moses was on the stage.
Moses entered the middle of the cloud and climbed the mountain. Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. In the next line we read God spoke to Moses. The power, the calm, the awesome experience this must have been for Moses is incomprehensible. God was instructing him and preparing him for works of service for God's glory.
What has God been doing lately to prepare you for works of service? Have you had a front row seat or have you been on the stage. What has God said to you? Write it down. Pray over it. Seek God while you pray for discernment. God always prepares a person for the new ministry that He is ready to start.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
029 Thursday, January 29, 2009
029 Exodus 21 – 23; John 18
“These are the laws that you are to place before them:…” Oh my! Are you kidding me? No, God was not kidding--if someone curses father or mother, the penalty is death. So, this is no joke. The people needed to be separated from the culture of the Egyptians. God is taking the chosen people and is starting the process of sanctification i.e. making them holy as the Lord is holy. When you read all these laws notice that they are mostly civil laws that are based on God's law. How we treat each other is a reflection on how we think about God.
I hope that you have memorized God's ten commandments or get really close. Even in the ten commandments there is the vertical and horizontal elements. Notice how God gives a promise of sending an angel ahead of them to protect them in their travels. So, after all the rules are laid down, God reminds them of His presence.
God gives the law and in John we read that Christ is seized from the garden. Christ is taken away to be crucified because we could not measure up. Are you still trying to measure up for God and His kingdom? The pressure is off in our relationship with the Lord. Read the law again and think about our failures and think about the blood of the Lamb. You are forgiven, set free to serve. Go for it!
“These are the laws that you are to place before them:…” Oh my! Are you kidding me? No, God was not kidding--if someone curses father or mother, the penalty is death. So, this is no joke. The people needed to be separated from the culture of the Egyptians. God is taking the chosen people and is starting the process of sanctification i.e. making them holy as the Lord is holy. When you read all these laws notice that they are mostly civil laws that are based on God's law. How we treat each other is a reflection on how we think about God.
I hope that you have memorized God's ten commandments or get really close. Even in the ten commandments there is the vertical and horizontal elements. Notice how God gives a promise of sending an angel ahead of them to protect them in their travels. So, after all the rules are laid down, God reminds them of His presence.
God gives the law and in John we read that Christ is seized from the garden. Christ is taken away to be crucified because we could not measure up. Are you still trying to measure up for God and His kingdom? The pressure is off in our relationship with the Lord. Read the law again and think about our failures and think about the blood of the Lamb. You are forgiven, set free to serve. Go for it!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
027 Tuesday, January 27, 2009
027 Exodus 18 – 20; John 17
When is enough, enough? Moses obviously did not know. Do you know your spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual limitations? The word ‘limit’ almost sends some people to the moon and back. Why? I think some of the problem is the hype over someone else's accomplishments and we think if they can so can I--and maybe you can-but! Yes, the ‘but’ is very important here because we can't always work in someone else's giftedness. Moses, I believ,e just plain forgot he was human--which is the other problem. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law said, “This is no way to go about it (judging issues for the people). You'll burn out, and the people right along with you.” Then Jethro gives a lesson in delegation, assignments, and selection of the right people.
“Now hear this, Moses.” Yes big Mo, the one, listened to his father-in-law, and followed the plan to a tee. A little collaboration back here in the O.T.
Are trying to do too much? Think of the different areas of your life. If you are trying to do too much in one, you are cheating something or someone in another. You don't know? Then go ask someone who will give some honest feedback. It could save your life.
When is enough, enough? Moses obviously did not know. Do you know your spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual limitations? The word ‘limit’ almost sends some people to the moon and back. Why? I think some of the problem is the hype over someone else's accomplishments and we think if they can so can I--and maybe you can-but! Yes, the ‘but’ is very important here because we can't always work in someone else's giftedness. Moses, I believ,e just plain forgot he was human--which is the other problem. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law said, “This is no way to go about it (judging issues for the people). You'll burn out, and the people right along with you.” Then Jethro gives a lesson in delegation, assignments, and selection of the right people.
“Now hear this, Moses.” Yes big Mo, the one, listened to his father-in-law, and followed the plan to a tee. A little collaboration back here in the O.T.
Are trying to do too much? Think of the different areas of your life. If you are trying to do too much in one, you are cheating something or someone in another. You don't know? Then go ask someone who will give some honest feedback. It could save your life.
Monday, January 26, 2009
026 Monday, January 26, 2009
026 Exodus 15 – 17; John 16
I hope you all are doing well.
Victory, it is a grand word. You are the winner! You overcame, triumphed, brought the house down--can there be a sweeter sound?! In Christ, all of these words apply to us because of our King, Jesus. The passage starts with, "I'm singing my heart out to God--what a victory." The whole Egyptian army fell to a bunch of slaves on the run. You would sing your heart out as well! "He pitched horse and rider into the sea." is part of the song that the Israelites are singing to the Lord. The song has violence in it--I wonder if a PC culture could take a God that hands out punishment?
There is real evil. This evil just doesn't spring from human hearts alone but is orchestrated by the most evil one. Satan wants to destroy God’s plan and purpose and that includes us. When you are whipped, and no hope is left, you need a strong Rescuer. I love how the Message puts this verse—“Your strong right hand, God, shimmers with power;…” By the way, this is a song truly inspired by God and is basically written by God. What do you think of its meter, its length, and its sing-ability?
Celebrate God's power today and that the Lord is on our side. Sing your heart out to Jesus, the victor! Dance a dance that will let loose the joy in your heart! Celebrate!
I hope you all are doing well.
Victory, it is a grand word. You are the winner! You overcame, triumphed, brought the house down--can there be a sweeter sound?! In Christ, all of these words apply to us because of our King, Jesus. The passage starts with, "I'm singing my heart out to God--what a victory." The whole Egyptian army fell to a bunch of slaves on the run. You would sing your heart out as well! "He pitched horse and rider into the sea." is part of the song that the Israelites are singing to the Lord. The song has violence in it--I wonder if a PC culture could take a God that hands out punishment?
There is real evil. This evil just doesn't spring from human hearts alone but is orchestrated by the most evil one. Satan wants to destroy God’s plan and purpose and that includes us. When you are whipped, and no hope is left, you need a strong Rescuer. I love how the Message puts this verse—“Your strong right hand, God, shimmers with power;…” By the way, this is a song truly inspired by God and is basically written by God. What do you think of its meter, its length, and its sing-ability?
Celebrate God's power today and that the Lord is on our side. Sing your heart out to Jesus, the victor! Dance a dance that will let loose the joy in your heart! Celebrate!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
025 Sunday, January 25, 2009
025 Exodus 12 – 14; John 15
“When I see the blood I will pass over you--no disaster will touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Hence the Passover meal was instituted by the Lord, Himself. If there has ever been a time to follow instructions this was the time. The first born (animal and human) was going to die if the blood was not applied to the door post of each home. Do you think anyone fell asleep during this sermon? Notice how the Lord wants this to be a fixed festival to celebrate the Lord bringing them out by force. Why? So they would remember the strong and ever present Yahweh is with them.
Can you believe it? The Egyptians came after them and of course they lost. Stubborn and stupid seem to go together. Reflect on the power of God in these chapters and how God came through for His people as they stepped out by faith. Step out and see if the Lord will carry you.
“When I see the blood I will pass over you--no disaster will touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Hence the Passover meal was instituted by the Lord, Himself. If there has ever been a time to follow instructions this was the time. The first born (animal and human) was going to die if the blood was not applied to the door post of each home. Do you think anyone fell asleep during this sermon? Notice how the Lord wants this to be a fixed festival to celebrate the Lord bringing them out by force. Why? So they would remember the strong and ever present Yahweh is with them.
Can you believe it? The Egyptians came after them and of course they lost. Stubborn and stupid seem to go together. Reflect on the power of God in these chapters and how God came through for His people as they stepped out by faith. Step out and see if the Lord will carry you.
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