Today’s Reading: Exodus 28; Exodus 29; Acts 7
Scripture: Exodus 28:1-4, 39-41
1 "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. 2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. 3 Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.
39 "Weave the tunic of fine linen and make the turban of fine linen. The sash is to be the work of an embroiderer. 40 Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. 41 After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
Observation: Sacred garments. This is a foreign idea to me (and, I think, to most Protestant Christians today). I tend to view the idea as a type of "throw back" to dead traditions that we need not pay much attention to. But is there something to these "sacred garments" that is important? God tells Moses to have these garments made for the purpose of giving "dignity and honor" to those who would serve as priests. Apparently, to God it is important that his representatives be held in high regard, with dignity and honor. That is what God thinks. Are "dignity and honor" high on our list or do we have other ideas?
Application: "Friendly and approachable" are characteristics that I have thought are vital to the man of God. But this does not seem to line up with God's values. Perhaps my idea is just wrong. My generation has spent much energy in rejecting tradition and substituting our own values for the "old ways." I must think about this more.
Prayer: Lord, help me get to the truth and live it.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Title: Stick To The Pattern / Topic: Humble Worship
Today’s Reading: Exodus 25; Exodus 26; Exodus 27; Acts 6
Scripture: Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8
25:9 "Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."
25:40 "See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
26:30 "Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain."
27:8 "...It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain."
Observation: God gives intricately detailed plans to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. There are specifications for materials, dimensions, colors and finishes, attachments and supports, and architectural detail. And in the verses above, God is explicit that these directions are to be followed to the "T", as he says "exactly like the pattern I will show you."
Application: Nowadays, we think that if we have what we believe to be a good motive, that we can approach God in any way we please. We think that God is not concerned about the details of how we approach him -- as long as we approach him. But I do not think that this idea is right. God is God and he has given us, in his word, many instructions regarding how we are to approach him. Methods of prayer, worship, intercession, repentance, inquiry, and so forth. Humility is one of the hallmarks of all of these methods. And a "whatever" attitude that "God will accept 'whatever' I offer to him" demonstrates no humility whatsoever.
Bottom line: It is the job of every believer to approach God "in holy and reverent fear" (1 Peter 1:17) by seeking to know how God has instructed his children to seek him. It will be a rude awakening for those presumptuous individuals who insist that God must receive them, no matter how the approach him, because they have good motives.
Prayer: Lord, keep me from presumption that I may approach you in a way that pleases you and demonstrates love and reverence for you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 25:9, 40; 26:30; 27:8
25:9 "Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."
25:40 "See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."
26:30 "Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain."
27:8 "...It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain."
Observation: God gives intricately detailed plans to Moses for the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. There are specifications for materials, dimensions, colors and finishes, attachments and supports, and architectural detail. And in the verses above, God is explicit that these directions are to be followed to the "T", as he says "exactly like the pattern I will show you."
Application: Nowadays, we think that if we have what we believe to be a good motive, that we can approach God in any way we please. We think that God is not concerned about the details of how we approach him -- as long as we approach him. But I do not think that this idea is right. God is God and he has given us, in his word, many instructions regarding how we are to approach him. Methods of prayer, worship, intercession, repentance, inquiry, and so forth. Humility is one of the hallmarks of all of these methods. And a "whatever" attitude that "God will accept 'whatever' I offer to him" demonstrates no humility whatsoever.
Bottom line: It is the job of every believer to approach God "in holy and reverent fear" (1 Peter 1:17) by seeking to know how God has instructed his children to seek him. It will be a rude awakening for those presumptuous individuals who insist that God must receive them, no matter how the approach him, because they have good motives.
Prayer: Lord, keep me from presumption that I may approach you in a way that pleases you and demonstrates love and reverence for you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Title: How To Be A Fool / Topic: Wise Living
Today’s Reading: Exodus 23; Exodus 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5
Scripture: Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
Observation: There is so much in today's reading that is excellent. This particular little verse spoke to me. It is a simple principle that a foolish person (and the term "foolish" refers to someone who is morally deficient, not just simple or uneducated) has the idea in his heart that God does not exist. And his life reflects that idea -- the decisions, priorities, pursuits and activities of his life are focused on the wants of self: power, pleasure, fame, and fortune.
Application: Whenever I act in such a way that does not reflect God, I am a fool. That may seem harsh, but that is the simple truth. And even though I believe in God, it is possible for my actions to not reflect this belief. And if I, through intent or neglect, allow this to happen, I truly fit the definition of a fool. Only a fool could look at this world in which we live and conclude that God does not exist.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always acknowledge you in everything I do, say, and think. I want to live my life as if you are walking right beside me because, in fact, you are. I love you, Lord. May I always live for you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart,
"There is no God."
Observation: There is so much in today's reading that is excellent. This particular little verse spoke to me. It is a simple principle that a foolish person (and the term "foolish" refers to someone who is morally deficient, not just simple or uneducated) has the idea in his heart that God does not exist. And his life reflects that idea -- the decisions, priorities, pursuits and activities of his life are focused on the wants of self: power, pleasure, fame, and fortune.
Application: Whenever I act in such a way that does not reflect God, I am a fool. That may seem harsh, but that is the simple truth. And even though I believe in God, it is possible for my actions to not reflect this belief. And if I, through intent or neglect, allow this to happen, I truly fit the definition of a fool. Only a fool could look at this world in which we live and conclude that God does not exist.
Prayer: Lord, help me to always acknowledge you in everything I do, say, and think. I want to live my life as if you are walking right beside me because, in fact, you are. I love you, Lord. May I always live for you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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