Today’s Reading: Exodus 17; Exodus 18; Exodus 19; Exodus 20; Acts 3
Scripture: Exodus 20
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol...
7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God...
8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...
12 "Honor your father and your mother...
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not give false testimony...
17 "You shall not covet..."
Observation: These ten commandments were not only the foundation for the Jewish and Christian beliefs systems, they are the basis of Western Civilization. And yet they are very simple and brief.
Application: We tend to complicate, God simplifies. Jesus even simplified further by distilling the ten commandments down to two. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. I know I have a hard time keeping it simple. I think that if I can keep it simple, then I can follow it better myself and I can win more people for this way of life.
Prayer: Lord help me to keep it simple and focus on the true basics and not on the man-made additions to Your will. Help us to find the big stuff and focus on that.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Title: The Ideal Church / Topic: Spiritual Vitality
Today’s Reading: Exodus 14; Exodus 16; Acts 2
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Observation: I just love this description of the first church. The excitement and vitality of this group of people is the image in my mind of what the ideal church should be like. People meeting together every day, sharing their lives, their goods, their homes and loving just being together. The love they had was tangible and attractive to outsiders. Natural growth was taking place because people wanted to be a part of this wonderful place of love, acceptance, and fellowship.
Application: My desire is to lead our people into this kind of experience. I don't know how, but I want to learn.
Prayer: Lord, help me to get to the place where I can lead people into this kind of vibrant Christian community. I so long for the experience of contagious joy and excitement, with the resultant natural growth. Lord, lead us to this place of life in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Observation: I just love this description of the first church. The excitement and vitality of this group of people is the image in my mind of what the ideal church should be like. People meeting together every day, sharing their lives, their goods, their homes and loving just being together. The love they had was tangible and attractive to outsiders. Natural growth was taking place because people wanted to be a part of this wonderful place of love, acceptance, and fellowship.
Application: My desire is to lead our people into this kind of experience. I don't know how, but I want to learn.
Prayer: Lord, help me to get to the place where I can lead people into this kind of vibrant Christian community. I so long for the experience of contagious joy and excitement, with the resultant natural growth. Lord, lead us to this place of life in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Title: When Your Son Asks... / Topic: Long Term Effect
Today’s Reading: Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Psalm 21; Acts 1
Scripture: Exodus 13:14 "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Observation: I notice this emphasis on the explanations given to the young people of Israel in the future.
Application: The Lord wants us to be thinking about what we are doing as it affects those who come after us, our children and grandchildren. Our actions and decisions have long term effects far beyond ourselves.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be aware that everything we do has greater consequences that we may know. May be do right so that those who come after us can be blessed.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 13:14 "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Observation: I notice this emphasis on the explanations given to the young people of Israel in the future.
Application: The Lord wants us to be thinking about what we are doing as it affects those who come after us, our children and grandchildren. Our actions and decisions have long term effects far beyond ourselves.
Prayer: Lord, help us to be aware that everything we do has greater consequences that we may know. May be do right so that those who come after us can be blessed.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Title: Opened Minds / Topic: Understanding Truth
Today’s Reading: Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Luke 24
Scripture: Luke 24:44-45
44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Observation: The risen Jesus is explaining what is going on to the disciples, who are at a loss to understand. Verse 45 caught my attention.
Application: I think that this is still true today. Unless God opens a person's mind, they cannot understand the word. And God won't pry open someone's mind, they must be humble and open to it. The proud person's rejection of the word is a self-fueled experience. They are not willing to let God have access to their minds so they remain a closed book as far a God is concerned and the Bible remains a closed book as far as they are concerned.
Bottom line: I must stay humble and teachable and ask God to open my mind so that I can understand more and deeper things of God.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You have a concern for people and a desire that they come to know You. Help me to be one who is always open to Your truth -- make me like a sponge for Your truth. And help me to lead others and to be persuasive and convincing for You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Luke 24:44-45
44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Observation: The risen Jesus is explaining what is going on to the disciples, who are at a loss to understand. Verse 45 caught my attention.
Application: I think that this is still true today. Unless God opens a person's mind, they cannot understand the word. And God won't pry open someone's mind, they must be humble and open to it. The proud person's rejection of the word is a self-fueled experience. They are not willing to let God have access to their minds so they remain a closed book as far a God is concerned and the Bible remains a closed book as far as they are concerned.
Bottom line: I must stay humble and teachable and ask God to open my mind so that I can understand more and deeper things of God.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You have a concern for people and a desire that they come to know You. Help me to be one who is always open to Your truth -- make me like a sponge for Your truth. And help me to lead others and to be persuasive and convincing for You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Title: Another Night With The Frogs / Topic: Stupid Pride
Today’s Reading: Exodus 6; Exodus 7; Exodus 8; Luke 23
Scripture: Exodus 8:8-10
8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile."
10 "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.
Observation: Pharaoh and all Egypt is sick of the plague of frogs. Millions of frogs cover the land, homes, furniture -- frogs are everywhere. Pharaoh asks for relief and Moses says, "You set the time for the frogs to go away." Pharaoh says, "Tomorrow."
Application: Now if I was covered in slimy, smelly frogs, and I had the option of setting the time, I would say "RIGHT NOW!" Why did Pharaoh say "tomorrow"? I think it must have been pride -- stupid pride. It truly makes no sense. But pride often causes people to do things that are damaging and detrimental to their well being. Pride is deadly and ugly. I wonder if Pharaoh enjoyed that one more night with the frogs.
Prayer: Lord, deliver us from the folly of our pride. Help us to make wise choices and not worry about what others think of us. Give us humility and wisdom. And help us to speed our deliverance from the things that plague our lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 8:8-10
8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD."
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile."
10 "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.
Observation: Pharaoh and all Egypt is sick of the plague of frogs. Millions of frogs cover the land, homes, furniture -- frogs are everywhere. Pharaoh asks for relief and Moses says, "You set the time for the frogs to go away." Pharaoh says, "Tomorrow."
Application: Now if I was covered in slimy, smelly frogs, and I had the option of setting the time, I would say "RIGHT NOW!" Why did Pharaoh say "tomorrow"? I think it must have been pride -- stupid pride. It truly makes no sense. But pride often causes people to do things that are damaging and detrimental to their well being. Pride is deadly and ugly. I wonder if Pharaoh enjoyed that one more night with the frogs.
Prayer: Lord, deliver us from the folly of our pride. Help us to make wise choices and not worry about what others think of us. Give us humility and wisdom. And help us to speed our deliverance from the things that plague our lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Title: No Escape / Topic: God's Reach
Today’s Reading: Exodus 3; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Luke 22
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am."
5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."
Observation: Moses is a long way from home. He is far removed from his own people -- and distant from his dreams. The glories he knew in Egypt are a dim and bitter memory. The good he tried to do is forgotten in the indignity of his failures. From a royal prince to a goat herder. But God hasn't forgotten Moses. And God hasn't lost him either. God know his address. And God shows up on the back side of this forgotten desert to let Moses know that his life is not over. The best is yet to come.
Application: God knows where I am. No matter how far away I may be from the moments of glory or popularity or inspiration. Even when the heyday is long past. God still shows up. And He has something great to tell me. My purpose is not done. There are great days and great exploits (and great risks) yet to come.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for second chances -- for the call in the desert, or in the dark, or in the pit. Your call to the despairing heart, Your still small voice, is the thing that we long for. Even though we may have stopped even hoping for it, much lest expecting it. Speak to me, Lord. Let me hear Your call.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6
1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am."
5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."
Observation: Moses is a long way from home. He is far removed from his own people -- and distant from his dreams. The glories he knew in Egypt are a dim and bitter memory. The good he tried to do is forgotten in the indignity of his failures. From a royal prince to a goat herder. But God hasn't forgotten Moses. And God hasn't lost him either. God know his address. And God shows up on the back side of this forgotten desert to let Moses know that his life is not over. The best is yet to come.
Application: God knows where I am. No matter how far away I may be from the moments of glory or popularity or inspiration. Even when the heyday is long past. God still shows up. And He has something great to tell me. My purpose is not done. There are great days and great exploits (and great risks) yet to come.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for second chances -- for the call in the desert, or in the dark, or in the pit. Your call to the despairing heart, Your still small voice, is the thing that we long for. Even though we may have stopped even hoping for it, much lest expecting it. Speak to me, Lord. Let me hear Your call.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Title: Blessed For Lying? / Topic: Deep Truth
Today’s Reading: Exodus 1; Exodus 2; Psalm 88; Luke 21
Scripture: Exodus 1:17-21
17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
Observation: The Hebrew midwives had been ordered by Pharoah to kill the boy babies but let the girls live. However, their fear of God was greater than their fear of Pharoah and they did not do as Pharoah had commanded them. When they are summoned before Pharoah to give an answer for their disobedience, they make up a story -- they lie. What is interesting to me is that God blesses them for what they did, lies and all!
Application: I love this about the Bible. Like yesterday's post, this one points out that God really does not fit into our neat packaging. I was taught in Sunday School that it is always wrong to tell a lie. Here, God blesses the liars. Why? Because there is a deeper truth than not lieing. It is to preserve innocent life. Their lies saved lives. And apparently God is not so narrow as to judge them on the smaller violation when that helps them avoid a great violation. Who knew?! Actually, we do no service to God or people when we paint a picture of a narrow-minded God. We will be surprised when we really see how broad-minded God truly is.
Prayer: Lord, deliver us from our narrowness. Help us to hold on to truth, rejecting error, but being open to things beyond our comfort zone or way of thinking. You are good and Your ways are past finding out. Help us to never think that we have You down pat. Keep us humble and sweet.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 1:17-21
17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
Observation: The Hebrew midwives had been ordered by Pharoah to kill the boy babies but let the girls live. However, their fear of God was greater than their fear of Pharoah and they did not do as Pharoah had commanded them. When they are summoned before Pharoah to give an answer for their disobedience, they make up a story -- they lie. What is interesting to me is that God blesses them for what they did, lies and all!
Application: I love this about the Bible. Like yesterday's post, this one points out that God really does not fit into our neat packaging. I was taught in Sunday School that it is always wrong to tell a lie. Here, God blesses the liars. Why? Because there is a deeper truth than not lieing. It is to preserve innocent life. Their lies saved lives. And apparently God is not so narrow as to judge them on the smaller violation when that helps them avoid a great violation. Who knew?! Actually, we do no service to God or people when we paint a picture of a narrow-minded God. We will be surprised when we really see how broad-minded God truly is.
Prayer: Lord, deliver us from our narrowness. Help us to hold on to truth, rejecting error, but being open to things beyond our comfort zone or way of thinking. You are good and Your ways are past finding out. Help us to never think that we have You down pat. Keep us humble and sweet.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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