Scripture: Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Exodus 30:19-20
Observation: In the detailed instructions God included fo rthe tabernacle--its furnishings and ceremony--He included a basin for washing. Aaron and his sons were to wash inthe basin before they could enter God's presence. Ironically (if anything can be ironic when done by a purposeful God,) the basin was to be made out of the mirrors the women brought with them from Egypt.
Application: In a marvellously visual way, God showed His people, not for the last time, that He was more concerned with true cleansing than with appearance. It's true not only for the priest but also for me. Where am I keeping up appearances rather than seeking out healing and forgiveness? Where am I hiding my true self at the cost of embracing grace and wholeness?
Prayer: God, Forgive my foolishness, my folly at thinking I can pose with You. Instead, take my heart--own it and all that I keep there; become the center of my love and passion in life. Take my mind--make it Yours; renew it by Your grace, purify it and fill it wiht Your wisdom. Take my life--I offer it to You, to use as You see fit. Cleanse me of price and self. Fill those spaces with grace and compassion. Amen.
January 30, 2008 by Andy
Acts 6:10 “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.”
In this passage Stephen is preaching the Word of God and he is arrested because of it. Once he gets arrested he ends up in a debate of sorts with the powers that be. In this debate we come across verse 10 where the scriptures say “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” This stands out for a couple reasons. The first is that Stephen had extraordinary wisdom and second that he was led by God.
I find the first comment about Stephen's wisdom so intriguing because it is in reference to Stephen's knowledge. When I read that I think of the work that Stephen put into learning about God. I am reminded of the effort that he put in in order to have this wisdom. I also find the second comment about the Spirit of God being there with equally intriguing.
There is a relationship to what I do to learn more about God and then God speaking through me. I know that I cannot do anything outside of God's help but I am also a believer in doing what I can and being faithful in my own study life. God wanted Stephen to learn and study so that he may gain Godly wisdom and to be able to give an account of his faith. I believe God desires that for my life also. God wants me to learn what I can so that I can gain wisdom and then he will be there to help me with what I don’t know. I must be faithful with my part.
Lord, may I always be pursuing knowledge of You. May I always do my part to learn what I can about you. Give me the knowledge and wisdom that can only come from you.
In this passage Stephen is preaching the Word of God and he is arrested because of it. Once he gets arrested he ends up in a debate of sorts with the powers that be. In this debate we come across verse 10 where the scriptures say “but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.” This stands out for a couple reasons. The first is that Stephen had extraordinary wisdom and second that he was led by God.
I find the first comment about Stephen's wisdom so intriguing because it is in reference to Stephen's knowledge. When I read that I think of the work that Stephen put into learning about God. I am reminded of the effort that he put in in order to have this wisdom. I also find the second comment about the Spirit of God being there with equally intriguing.
There is a relationship to what I do to learn more about God and then God speaking through me. I know that I cannot do anything outside of God's help but I am also a believer in doing what I can and being faithful in my own study life. God wanted Stephen to learn and study so that he may gain Godly wisdom and to be able to give an account of his faith. I believe God desires that for my life also. God wants me to learn what I can so that I can gain wisdom and then he will be there to help me with what I don’t know. I must be faithful with my part.
Lord, may I always be pursuing knowledge of You. May I always do my part to learn what I can about you. Give me the knowledge and wisdom that can only come from you.
Tuesday, January 29 2008 by Bob
Title "Let's Shout the Message!"
Scripture: Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
In Acts 5 Luke recalls a story of the apostles being arrested and placed in jail by the Jewish leaders. But in the middle of the night an angel of the Lord opened the jail doors. As they were being released the angel commanded them to go to the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life! Can you imagine what must have been going on in the apostle’s minds? Here an angel of the Lord frees the apostles from prison but then orders them to go back into the center of Jerusalem’s community where these Jewish leaders hang out, and proclaim the good news! Our Lord, through his messenger, had made the importance of this message clear. It was to be shouted from the steps of the temple courts for everyone to hear. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has risen and in his resurrection we can have eternal life!
In the last 2000 years what has changed in this message? Has its truth changed? Or it significance? Has time eroded the value of this new life now that we are in the 21st century? Not one bit. In fact the same Lord who called on the apostles to preach this message on the temple courts has also called us to do the same as commanded in Matthew 28:18. How passionately are you sharing your new life?
O Lord, forgive my complacent attitude concerning your wonderful promise revealed in your good news. Forgive me for my lack of care for those who are lost without hope in a fallen world. Please give me a renewed passion to shout your promise of hope to everyone you bring to me.
Scripture: Acts 5:20 "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."
In Acts 5 Luke recalls a story of the apostles being arrested and placed in jail by the Jewish leaders. But in the middle of the night an angel of the Lord opened the jail doors. As they were being released the angel commanded them to go to the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life! Can you imagine what must have been going on in the apostle’s minds? Here an angel of the Lord frees the apostles from prison but then orders them to go back into the center of Jerusalem’s community where these Jewish leaders hang out, and proclaim the good news! Our Lord, through his messenger, had made the importance of this message clear. It was to be shouted from the steps of the temple courts for everyone to hear. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, has risen and in his resurrection we can have eternal life!
In the last 2000 years what has changed in this message? Has its truth changed? Or it significance? Has time eroded the value of this new life now that we are in the 21st century? Not one bit. In fact the same Lord who called on the apostles to preach this message on the temple courts has also called us to do the same as commanded in Matthew 28:18. How passionately are you sharing your new life?
O Lord, forgive my complacent attitude concerning your wonderful promise revealed in your good news. Forgive me for my lack of care for those who are lost without hope in a fallen world. Please give me a renewed passion to shout your promise of hope to everyone you bring to me.
Monday, January 28, 2008 by Randy
Title: “I just can’t help it!!”
Scripture: Acts 4:20 says…For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Observation: Peter and John had just shared the hope of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. The Bible says that thousands believed what they had heard, while the Sadducees were “greatly disturbed” (Acts 4:1-3) Talk about a contrast of reactions! (The Sadducees were a Jewish sect which never believed in the resurrection). Well, as a result Peter and John were arrested and spent the night in jail. The next day they faced the “religious officials.” Filled with the Spirit, Peter boldly explained, telling them of Christ and the Good News. These leaders only had one thing to say – stop sharing!! That would be impossible! Peter and John replied, “…we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Application: How often am I sharing Christ and the Good News? Why am I not more excited about pointing people to Jesus? In my heart I know that it is the greatest news, the best news anyone can know and hear! I desire my love for God to spill out in my life so that I can say with the Apostles – I can’t help but speak what I’ve seen and heard about Christ!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for holding back in my witness for you. Even today, let me see the opportunities to share with others. In your grace, please give me a greater boldness and enthusiasm to be the testimony you want me to be. AMEN.
Scripture: Acts 4:20 says…For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Observation: Peter and John had just shared the hope of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. The Bible says that thousands believed what they had heard, while the Sadducees were “greatly disturbed” (Acts 4:1-3) Talk about a contrast of reactions! (The Sadducees were a Jewish sect which never believed in the resurrection). Well, as a result Peter and John were arrested and spent the night in jail. The next day they faced the “religious officials.” Filled with the Spirit, Peter boldly explained, telling them of Christ and the Good News. These leaders only had one thing to say – stop sharing!! That would be impossible! Peter and John replied, “…we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Application: How often am I sharing Christ and the Good News? Why am I not more excited about pointing people to Jesus? In my heart I know that it is the greatest news, the best news anyone can know and hear! I desire my love for God to spill out in my life so that I can say with the Apostles – I can’t help but speak what I’ve seen and heard about Christ!!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for holding back in my witness for you. Even today, let me see the opportunities to share with others. In your grace, please give me a greater boldness and enthusiasm to be the testimony you want me to be. AMEN.
January 25, 2008 by Nancy
Scripture: Exodus 12:11 (Msg)
And here is how you are to eat it: Be fully dressed with your sandals on and your stick in your hand. Eat in a hurry; it's the Passover to God.
Observation: After a long and drawn-out stand-off with Pharaoh, Moses succeeded in attaining permission for the children of Israel to go and worship. In fact, not just to worship but to go for good. Pharaoh and his people had paid a terrible price for his stubbornness as all of Egypt was destroyed and finally, the first born sons were lost. As they prepared for this final sign, the Angel of death and his passing over of the homes of the faithful, God's instructions to the children of Israel were to be ready. They were told to eat their meal fully dressed with their sandals on--unusual in their culture--and to bake bread without leaven because there would be no time for it to rise. Essentially, they were to be on the alert for what God would do and be ready to follow immediately when He revealed Himself.
Application: I believe the same is true today. While I don't have the drama of ten plagues and the tragedy of the deaths of all first-borns, I still serve the almighty, all-powerful God who is at work in the world today. And I am instructed to be ready to follow. I am to act in obedience and then I am blessed with the privilege of waiting expectantly for God to reveal Himself. When He does, will He find me faithful? Ready to follow where He leads? Or will I be reclining at the table, my sandals off and my life is disarray? I want to be ready to follow. In order to do that, I should be pursuing what I know to be true--practicing the disciplines of my faith (worshiping with other believers, tithing, praying, studying the scriptures, serving others)--in order to be ready when God reveals Himself.
Father, I want to be ready, to follow at a moment's notice. Forgive me for the times I make wrong choices--ignoring what I know to be Your desire for my life and pursing the things which bring me temporary satisfaction. Help me today and tomorrow and the day after that, to do the simple things I know to do. Help me to embrace Your best plan instead of exchanging it for a poor substitute. Please use me as You see fit. Make me ready and shape my life into a useful tool for You.
Amen.
And here is how you are to eat it: Be fully dressed with your sandals on and your stick in your hand. Eat in a hurry; it's the Passover to God.
Observation: After a long and drawn-out stand-off with Pharaoh, Moses succeeded in attaining permission for the children of Israel to go and worship. In fact, not just to worship but to go for good. Pharaoh and his people had paid a terrible price for his stubbornness as all of Egypt was destroyed and finally, the first born sons were lost. As they prepared for this final sign, the Angel of death and his passing over of the homes of the faithful, God's instructions to the children of Israel were to be ready. They were told to eat their meal fully dressed with their sandals on--unusual in their culture--and to bake bread without leaven because there would be no time for it to rise. Essentially, they were to be on the alert for what God would do and be ready to follow immediately when He revealed Himself.
Application: I believe the same is true today. While I don't have the drama of ten plagues and the tragedy of the deaths of all first-borns, I still serve the almighty, all-powerful God who is at work in the world today. And I am instructed to be ready to follow. I am to act in obedience and then I am blessed with the privilege of waiting expectantly for God to reveal Himself. When He does, will He find me faithful? Ready to follow where He leads? Or will I be reclining at the table, my sandals off and my life is disarray? I want to be ready to follow. In order to do that, I should be pursuing what I know to be true--practicing the disciplines of my faith (worshiping with other believers, tithing, praying, studying the scriptures, serving others)--in order to be ready when God reveals Himself.
Father, I want to be ready, to follow at a moment's notice. Forgive me for the times I make wrong choices--ignoring what I know to be Your desire for my life and pursing the things which bring me temporary satisfaction. Help me today and tomorrow and the day after that, to do the simple things I know to do. Help me to embrace Your best plan instead of exchanging it for a poor substitute. Please use me as You see fit. Make me ready and shape my life into a useful tool for You.
Amen.
January 22, 2008 by Bob
Ex 4:11
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
In the first several chapter of the Book of Exodus, we read that Moses was commissioned by God to speak as His ambassador to set the Israelites free from the grip of the Egyptians. Although God had instructed Moses what to say and provided him with the power to perform signs to convince Pharaoh that he was a messenger from God, Moses resisted. In fact Moses questioned God’s ability to convince Pharaoh through him alone. Can you imagine telling the Creator of the Universe that his plan might fail? Then God responded to Moses with words that must have resonated throughout his remaining life, and should resonate with us today; "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? But even with this reaction it took Moses sometime to eventually come around and believe that God could use him to accomplish great things.
Today we worship the same God that Moses worshipped, with the same power to accomplish what He desires through us. Yet many of us are reluctant to believe that God can use us to accomplish what we alone cannot. Many times we focus on our own inabilities instead of God’s greatness. We become so obsessed in our own weaknesses that we fail to realize that God’s work is not about us, but instead about God’s purpose and power working through us.
Heavenly Father, forgive our feeble faith, and give us the strength and courage to step out boldly whenever we are led by you to accomplish your work. Teach us to rest our assurance on your glory and power alone.
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
In the first several chapter of the Book of Exodus, we read that Moses was commissioned by God to speak as His ambassador to set the Israelites free from the grip of the Egyptians. Although God had instructed Moses what to say and provided him with the power to perform signs to convince Pharaoh that he was a messenger from God, Moses resisted. In fact Moses questioned God’s ability to convince Pharaoh through him alone. Can you imagine telling the Creator of the Universe that his plan might fail? Then God responded to Moses with words that must have resonated throughout his remaining life, and should resonate with us today; "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? But even with this reaction it took Moses sometime to eventually come around and believe that God could use him to accomplish great things.
Today we worship the same God that Moses worshipped, with the same power to accomplish what He desires through us. Yet many of us are reluctant to believe that God can use us to accomplish what we alone cannot. Many times we focus on our own inabilities instead of God’s greatness. We become so obsessed in our own weaknesses that we fail to realize that God’s work is not about us, but instead about God’s purpose and power working through us.
Heavenly Father, forgive our feeble faith, and give us the strength and courage to step out boldly whenever we are led by you to accomplish your work. Teach us to rest our assurance on your glory and power alone.
January 21, 2008 by Randy
Date: 1/21/08
Title: Watching Eyes
Topic: Moses tried to hide his sin.
Scripture Reference: Exodus 2:12
SCRIPTURE (Ex 2:12 NIV) Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
OBSERVE Moses was sure no one would see his sin. The passage says he glanced "this way and that...seeing no one." Isn't true? Sooner or later, sin catches up with us. Either someone sees us, no matter how hard we try to conceal it or the consequences eventually expose us. Sin ALWAYS finds us out. However, failure never has to be final. Even though Moses sinned greatly, murdering someone, he was still used of God. No matter what we have done, God can graciously restore us.
APPLICATION I don't think "being watched" is a good motive for best behavior. But even in the small things, I need to be living out my faith. I rejoice that despite my mess ups and shortcomings, God can still use me. Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
PRAYER Father, I want to live a life of integrity. Help me to remember that I can never get away from sin. Also, others are watching me. Help me to be a good example. Most of all, Father, you are watching me. I want to live a life that brings honor and glory to you. AMEN.
Title: Watching Eyes
Topic: Moses tried to hide his sin.
Scripture Reference: Exodus 2:12
SCRIPTURE (Ex 2:12 NIV) Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.
OBSERVE Moses was sure no one would see his sin. The passage says he glanced "this way and that...seeing no one." Isn't true? Sooner or later, sin catches up with us. Either someone sees us, no matter how hard we try to conceal it or the consequences eventually expose us. Sin ALWAYS finds us out. However, failure never has to be final. Even though Moses sinned greatly, murdering someone, he was still used of God. No matter what we have done, God can graciously restore us.
APPLICATION I don't think "being watched" is a good motive for best behavior. But even in the small things, I need to be living out my faith. I rejoice that despite my mess ups and shortcomings, God can still use me. Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."
PRAYER Father, I want to live a life of integrity. Help me to remember that I can never get away from sin. Also, others are watching me. Help me to be a good example. Most of all, Father, you are watching me. I want to live a life that brings honor and glory to you. AMEN.
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