Foolishness and folly

Reading: Numbers 5-6 and 1 Corinthians 1

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24, For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Thoughts: We have been called and in that calling offered the power and wisdom for God. The world looks at us as fools, the idea that the spoken word of someone who believes has any more power or authority than any other word seems crazy. Until you have seen it or walked it out it is hard to understand. I have heard Prophets and heard of healings around me but until I traveled 300 miles and laid hands on my aunt, I did not truly understand the power that God can work through me. God’s call can sometime look foolish but when we walk it out, we get to see signs and wonders. I will never forget how it felt to be apart of my aunts healing. 

Prayer: Father God I thank you that you can use me in your plans, I long to walk in your presence all my life. I ask that you help me to stay connected to you and walk in your power and your authority. Open then eyes of the world to need your truth and seek you. 

What kind of love?

Reading: Numbers 4, Psalm 21, and John 21

Scripture: John 21:15-17, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

Thoughts: In English we have one word “Love” that we use in many ways where in the Greek they have five. From Agape a selfless love to Philautia a self-love. In this passage the first two times Jesus asked Peter he used Agape and on the third time asked Phileo (brotherly love). I had heard teachings that said the first two Peter said Phileo and the third said Agape. But as I was checking the Greek it appears that Peter never moved from Phileo for all three times. We are called to love God with all our mind, all our heart and all our soul (Luke 10:27). This love is the Agape love, Peter apparently was struggling with loving that way, as do we all, it is easier to have the respect, regard and friendship then to go all in and love as God loves. Let us strive to get to the unending, unconditional love God calls us too. 

Prayer: Father, you are love, you pour it out upon us and ask us to do the same to those around us. Lord forgive me of not loving you as I should and placing conditions on my love. Help me to love better those around me, especially my family and friends that sometime get the short fuses in my life. Pour your love into me that I may pour it into others. 

Too much to put in the book

Reading: Numbers 3, Psalm 67, and John 20

Scripture: John 20:30-31, Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Thoughts: In all four of the Gospel accounts there are lots of miracles and signs, there are recordings of individuals being healed, large groups and even small groups, not to mention the feeding of thousands of people on just a little bread and fish. Almost everywhere Jesus went people were seeking him out. Getting the reminder that as much as we get from the four Gospels that there was so much more that he did that was not included. 

Prayer: Father God I thank you for your Narrative, the account of Jesus’ life and the truth that is shows. I thank you that you have given us the desire to seek you. I thank you that you are leading us and teaching us new things in your word every day. Your word is nourishment to my soul. 

Be afraid

Reading: Numbers 2, Psalm 46, and John 19

Scripture: John 19:7-8, The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

Thoughts: We are all sons and daughters of God though the adoption that happened when we accepted the gift offered to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Pilate knew the stories going around about Jesus and even his wife had a dream about who he was, and when the priest and high officials of the Jews is saying we want you to kill this man who says he is the Son of God. I would have been scared myself. By the adoptions though Jesus we are given the power and authority to do as it says in John 14:12, to do the works that I do and greater works. As sons and daughters, we need to walk in the authority and power that has been given us, the world should be afraid to cross the church we are not called to be pacifist but to be the front line for those things that are right.

Prayer: Father God you are the commander and chief, you are in control. I thank you for the ability to be apart of your army and fight the way, the truth, and the life that bring honor and glory to you. Refine me and make me into the vessel you have called me to be. 

How big is our Army

Reading: Numbers 1 and John 18

Scripture: Numbers 1:45-46, So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel— all those listed were 603,550.

Thoughts: In 2018 the US standing Army was 1.3 Million soldiers. As Israel prepared for the first opportunity to go and take the Promised Land they had and army of almost half the us forces today. There are estimates there are over 2 billion Christians in the world today. We are God’s army, We are told that a hundred will chase ten thousand, are we stepping up to the battle and declaring our victory in the Lord. We are the world’s Largest army let us walk in victory against the evil one. 

Prayer: Father God you are the great orchestrator, you lead us and guide us in your battle plans. You give us the power and authority to overcome all evil. Mobilize your army to reach those who do not know you. Open the eyes of those we interact with to see your love and your mercy that you are wanting to pour out upon then. I pray for the 7.8 trillion people in this world. Help us to be your light into this world. 

 

Steadfast love

Reading: Leviticus 27, Psalm 136, and John 17

Scripture: Psalm 139:1, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Thoughts: We define things by our own moral values, those who don’t have God as the true north that our moral compass to point to will over time start going astray. The truth it that God is the one who defines Good and when we focus on him we strive for that good. We are told that no one does good in several scriptures like Psalm 53:3 and Romans 3:12. Give thanks to God for he is the true good we seek and his unending, unfailing, steadfast love is pouring over us every day. 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, you pour out your love upon us every day. I thank you that you are the true good and we have you to strive to and that we are more than a happy accident. 

Rak Chazak Amats!! Our Battle cry

Reading: Leviticus 26, Psalm 12, and John 16

Scripture: Leviticus 26:8, Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Thoughts: As I read this passage about with God’s favor upon Israel they would have the power to overcome enemies to the point of 100 to 1. We have been adopted into the family through Christ and in Ephesians 6:17 it says to take the helmet and the Sword. Even though today we don’t have swords and helmets to battle our enemies in the physical but we have been given God’s armor and that includes the Sword of the Spirit. We have been given the ability to win our battles against the evil one even we are outnumbered. Let us raise a battle cry unto the lord and walk in the victory that Christ has already secured for us. Let us raise up a battle cry Rak Chazak Amats!

Prayer: Lord God you are the victory. I thank you that you are our strength and power to overcome all things. Help us to raise up our battle cry every day as we go to battle in this fallen world. 

Gathering and reading

Reading: Leviticus 22-23 and John 14

Scripture: Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

Thoughts: As I was reading this morning the term convocation stood out to me, not that I had not heard it before but that I did not have a deep grasp on the meaning. Just as when you read a textbook, or a story and you come across a word you do not know you gather an idea of its meaning by the context around it. When I looked up the Hebrew it was the word miqra the meanings that were listed were reading, a calling together, and sacred assembly. So, on these Feast days and days of rest they were told to gather together for the reading of scripture. Are we setting aside time for God, and for the reading of scripture? We are to be gathering together to be able to hold each other accountable. This statute that was set up around 3000 years ago not to force us to hear scripture but to give us the opportunity to slow down and focus on God and rest our bodies are not meant to be an extension of our work week. 

Prayer: Father God you are worthy of our time, you are worthy of all I have and all my praise and worship. I thank you that you do call us to gather, you know our every need and every desire. I ask that you help me to recognize your sabbath and honor it as you have called us to gather and to be in your word. 

Who is the master???

Reading: Leviticus 20-21 and John 13

Scripture: John 13:16, Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Thoughts: The world around us is constantly raising people up onto pedestals and telling us that we need to listen to them because they have a voice, to later tell us that their voice is not worth listening to because of something in their past or because their opinions differ from the narrative they are telling. This has been more prevalent in the last 18 months and there have been many differing views that have come to a head and are competing for relevance. The biggest issue is that the majority of the voices are only out to get power and are not the master or the one who sent them. We are the servant and the messenger; we are the ones sent to share what God has done and are we spreading the Gospel or are we letting those people out there dictate what we are thinking. We are given the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong, and we have the Word of God to help us to see through the lenses of the Father. Our Master and one sending us if greater than the one who sends then and is trying to deceive the world. Let us step up to our podium that God has for us and speak his word. 

Prayer: Father, you have a plan that you have called us to be apart of. You speak through your word and through your spirit interacting in our lives. I ask that you help us to obey our Master and speak the message you have given us. 

The Harvest???

Reading: Leviticus 18-19 and John 12

Scripture: Leviticus 19:9-10, When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.

Thoughts: As I was reading, this law about reaping the harvest stuck out to me. I know most people are not out with large vineyards or fields of grain where this is applicable. But we do work there was a time I was working 50 plus hours a week, I was putting my work and how I was providing for my family above my relationship with my family. We are called to leave some for those less fortunate in this law. Today we work for money and most people live pay check to pay check and sometime on credit cards when the checks are not enough. I see this living as reaping to the edges and gathering the fallen grapes. When we are living without a buffer built into our budget for unexpected giving, unexpected bills or anything that could come up how are we to thrive as we are told we can. Christ said he came to give us life more abundant, that life is not just the good stuff when you look at what life is, then say God is giving us more. In my last 40 years of life there have been great mountain top moments and some deep dark valleys and lots in between, we are told we are getting more life. Yes, God will provide but we also need to be good stewards of what he has given us. What is left of your harvest at the end of the month. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful and generous, you take care of our needs and provide for them. I thank you for all you do and give us. I ask that you help me to better steward that which you give me and help me be more generous. 

Called

Reading: Leviticus 16-17 and John 11

Scripture: John 11:28-29, When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.

Thoughts: God is calling each and every one of us, He longs to have a relationship with us. Even growing up in the church, going to Sunday school, summer camps and be baptized in my teens, I did not understand God’s calling or really listen. I went to Bible college for a year because I thought it was what I should do. After two failed marriages and running toward my own desires, I heard God calling me I finished a degree in ministry, I met a Godly woman and together we found a church that has been discipling us. When Mary was told that Jesus was calling her in the midst of her grief, she went to him immediately, she did not put it off or say let me grieve then I will come, she rose and quickly went. Is there a calling to go or do something that you have been putting off or not wanting to do? Let us rise quickly and go to the Father who calls us and wants to incorporate us into his plan.

Prayer: Father God, you are calling, you have a plan that is greater than our plans, you call us to be apart of your work. I pray that our hearts, our eyes and our ears be opened to your calling, your directions and your plan. Help us to be the stewards of this life that you have given us. 

One flock

Reading: Leviticus 15, Psalm 103, and John 10

Scripture: John 10:16-17, And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

Thoughts: The Church has so many divisions since the beginning, there are well over 40,000 different denominations today. We are all called the sons and daughters of God, we have all been saved be the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. In the time spoken of Jesus appeared to be speaking about the Gentiles that would be brought into the family with the Jews who accepted him. Be discerning about your church in that if they are straying from the Word of God or teaching another gospel. We are to walk together as one family the teach the Word of God. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for the diversity that you have created in this world and that we are all one family. I thank you that you give discernment and ears to hear when we are being lead astray. Help us all to recognize the truth and cast out the spirit of deception. 

What happened to you???

Reading: Leviticus 14 and John 9

Scripture: John 9:25, He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Thoughts: We are called to share the good news, that good news is what Christ did for us. Within that good news we have our story of how God touched our lives. There are great blessings and miracles that happen every day. The man who had been healed all he could say was, “I was blind and now I see.” That is what we are to do, I was one thing and now I am another. Our stories may not be instantaneous, God is not bound by our time. What is your story? Have you shared it with someone lately? 

Prayer: Lord God you are the great healer, you are the one who gives and takes away, you supply all our needs. I thank you for all you are doing in my life, the molding and refining, and the provisions you have poured out on us. Help me to be open and transparent to all and to share with those how need to hear. 

Doing what your father did!!!

Reading: Leviticus 13 and John 8

Scripture: John 8:39, They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.

Thoughts: Jesus was reminding these Jews that their actions were not in line with that faith and covenant that God set with Abraham, by reminding them that Abraham walked by faith and they are not. We are Christians and when that term first started being used it was to be derogatory meaning “little Christ” and we are called sons and daughters of God. Being called “little Christ” and sons and daughters of God, are we doing the things God or Jesus would do or are we walking in the ways of the world? 

Prayer: Father God, your mercies are sufficient for me, I thank you that you sent your Son and prepared a way for me. Help me to walk in your ways, to do as you would do and not as the world would. Give me the means and the boldness to speak your love. 

On who's authority?

Reading: Leviticus 11-12 and John 7

Scripture: John 7:16-17, So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Thoughts: When reading this I thought about when someone questions something we are doing at work, we always refer to those who are in authority above us, or go get someone who has more authority than the one trying to question us. This is exactly what Jesus was doing and the one who sent him and has the higher authority is God the Father. As we spend time in the word and learn God’s voice and know his word like Jesus we can say this has come form above and they can choose to believe or not. We are all called to preach the good news to the world. Are we telling those around us about that good news. 

Prayer:  Father God, you are worthy of all praise and honor, your glory shines upon your creation and your creation shouts your praise. I thank you for all you do in my life. I ask that you help me to be more open and have the boldness to shine your light to those around me. 

Run Away!!!!!

Reading: Leviticus 9-10 and John 6

Scripture: John 6:66-67, After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”

Thoughts: When the going gets tough a hard teaching or a troubling time, there are many who turn to the vises of the world to ease the pain or walk away to avoid conviction. It is almost always easier to walk away then to face whatever it is. God wants to strengthen us and give us the power and ability to overcome the adversaries in our lives. Just as the 12 were asked if they want to leave too, we are asked are we going to leave or are we going to walk with God? 

Prayer: Lord God you are my strength and my wisdom, you lead me to green pastures. I thank you for all that you are doing ion my life and the directions you have for me. I ask that you help me to stick with you no matter how much it hurts. You are my comfort and my shield. 

Too much or too little rest?

Reading: Leviticus 7-8 and John 5

Scripture: John 5:10-11, So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’”

Thoughts: The first thing that came to mind when reading this was Mark 2:27-28, “And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”” There are so many people out there who are more into the dos and don’ts of religion than the relationship with Christ. This man who had been lame all is life, someone because of his limitations had not “worked” was told to take up his bed by the man who healed him. Just like when the nation of Israel was taken into captivity to let the land rest, this man had his rest already and now he can start his work. The Sabbath was created to show us the need for rest not as a way to inflict control on God’s people. Has your Sabbath been too long or not there at all? Let us find the balance for the Glory of God.  

Prayer: Father God you are the Lord of my life my comings and goings my work and my rest are yours. You gave me my wife, my children, my home and my job, I ask that you help me to see and exercise the balance needed in my life to honor you. 

Straight for the horse's mouth!!

Reading: Leviticus 5-6 and John 4

Scripture: John 4:42, They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Thoughts: growing us I remember people using the phrase “straight from the horse’s mouth,” I think I have even used it myself. When reding this narrative about the woman at the well and later all the people were basically saying we believed you before but now we got it straight from the horse’s mouth. As believers we had to hear the word first just like the town had to hear from the woman. After something was said and we had some sort of encounter with God then we are to the point we are getting straight from the horse’s mouth. We are all called to be like the woman and share our experience and share the good news. We need to stay in the word, stay in community where we can be held accountable for being lead astray. Charles Spurgeon once said “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” Let us seek God and dive into his word to get it straight from the horse’s mouth. 

Prayer: Lord I thank you that you give us your Word poured out to us through those you inspired to write. I thank you that you are still speaking through your word today. I thank you that you deem us worthy to send some one to share your love with us. I ask that you give us the strength and the boldness to listen to your spirit and your nudging to speak to those around us. 

Salty Sacrifice!!

Reading: Leviticus 2-4 and John 3

Scripture: Leviticus 2:13, You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

Thoughts: As I was reading this I had just thought about how a couple verses earlier the law was talking about not having leaven in the grain offerings, and my mind was on Jesus and the leaven of the Pharisees. When the law said to season every offering with salt, my mind jumped to Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus teaches us that we are the salt and light of the world. As living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) we need to keep ourselves salted. This passage says that we are to not the salt of the covenant of God be missing. We have that covenant with God through Christ, I feel like without our regularly gathering, our regular time with God in reading the Word, praying, and worship we are not keeping that salt in our lives or as said in Matthew 5 the salt is losing his saltiness. 

Prayer: Father, you are worthy of all praise, you are worthy of all sacrifice and worship. I thank you for your covenant with us. I ask that you help me to remain salty to have the salt of your covenant on every sacrifice I make and pour myself out before you every day. 

Glory of the Lord Filled the tabernacle!!!

Reading: Exodus 40, Leviticus 1, and John 2

Scripture: Exodus 40:34, Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

Thoughts: When reading about the finishing of the tabernacle and see that the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, it makes me long to have the manifestation of God like that. The Tabernacle was a temporary place that God could come and dwell, just as we are temporary vessels going though this world. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 we are told that we are the temple even though the temple was more permanent than the tabernacle, it was still only temporary, the temple has been torn down and will be built again one day. Like the temple and the tabernacle, we are a place that God can dwell. We need to seek being filled with Holy Spirit daily, in that we also need to be pouring out what he brings into our lives. Just like because the Dead Sea has no outlet and everything that flows in stays there it is full of death, when we pour out ourselves as we are poured into, we will be given life more abundantly than we can imagine. 

Prayer: Father God you are leading and guiding us, you work all things to the good of that who are yours. Your glory shines about us, I ask that you help us to be mirrors to reflect that glory, help us to pour out as you pour into us. Help us to be that lifegiving encounter in peoples lives. 

Bear witness about the light!!

Reading: Exodus 38-39 and John 1

Scripture: John1 8, 12, He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light…  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Thoughts: John (the Baptist) had been telling the Pharisees that he was the herald telling of Jesus, then goes on to say those who receive him (Jesus) are given the right to become children of God. I was reading this and was thinking about how now that though Christ and what he did we have been adopted into God’s family and are children of God, just as John was a herald of the first coming, we are the heralds of his second coming and are called to share what God has done for and in us. It is not about getting in front of a large crowd to tell your story but in the midst of doing life sharing God’s love with those around us. Most people will not care about what you are sharing until they see how much you care

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, your glory shines from all creation. I thank you that you did send your Son to give us the right to be called sons and daughters of God. I thank you for all you have done in my life and all you are still doing. I ask that you give me the strength and boldness to speak where you would have me speak. Lead us and guide us in all we do. 

Joined for a purpose

Reading: Exodus 36-37 and Romans 16

Scripture: Exodus 36:18, And he made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together that it might be a single whole.

Thoughts: In 1 Corinthians 12:12 we are told we are all one body but many parts. Reading in Exodus when building the tabernacle and the tent over the tabernacle all the curtains for the covering were made one unit by joining them together the same was done with the decorative ones on the inside. Just as we are now the temple as part of the family of God, being grafted in, and adopted we all make up parts of the body. Just as the clasps joined the curtains together and made them one unit, we are joined together though the piercing of the hands and feet and his defeat of death. Let us be one with one another many pieces and parts fit together to spread the good news that the Son of God came to earth, lived a sinless life, and paid the price for what we did.  

Prayer: Lord you formed me in my mothers womb, you knew the part I would play and how I will be apart of your plan. I thank you that you utilize the broken, that you equip the willing and available. I ask that you help me to seek those who you call to be joined with us and those we are to join with and what part we are playing in that. 

Hope from the Word

Reading: Exodus 34-35 and Romans 15

Scripture: Romans 15:4, For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Thoughts: We need hope renewed in us every day, we walk every day in a fallen world with opinions and thoughts what can distract us and lead us away from the Father. Scriptures and the narratives throughout the Bible point us to the hope and encouragement that come from knowing who we are in Christ. We need to be in the Word of God every day, seeking to hear his voice and his leading. The more we dive into the word the more we are hearing his voice, it may be slightly different depending one who was writing and who was the original audience but you will start recognizing God’s voice in the writing of the 40 different authors. As we hear God in his Word more, we open our ears to hearing him in our life more. 

Prayer: Lord, I stand in awe of all you do, the work you are doing in my life and the work you are doing in the world. Your love is so abundant and so overwhelming. I thank you for the refining and molding your are doing in me. I ask that you help me to hear your voice and walk in your plan. 

 

Long term Consequences

Reading: Exodus 32-33, Psalm 1, Romans 14

 

Scripture: Exodus 32:35, Then the Lord sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.

 

Thoughts: during this portion of Exodus there is almost always the focus on Moses smashing the tables and grinding the golden calf and making Israel drink it. This morning having first it stood out that the sons of Levi come and killed three thousand people they knew. Then alter is says a plague came upon them. As I was reading this I realized that there were two types of consequences to our sins there are the immediate and long term. I was just explaining to my 6 year old that there are not immediate and long term consequences to actions, some time you get a quick sharp discipline and sometimes you get a long term one to remind you over time what you did. 

 

Prayer: God you are for wonderful, you know every hair in our heads. I thank you for the discipline and consequences you give us that help us come back to you and to recognize when we have gone astray. I ask you to open our eyes and ears to hear from you and seek your face.

Craftsman

 

Reading: Exodus 30-31, Psalm 132, and Romans 13

 

Scripture: Exodus 31:2-3, See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,

 

Thoughts: We often focus on gifts of the spirit as things like teaching, preaching, and worship. Those are the big one that are most widely accepted. Bezalel was the first person to be filled with Holy Spirit, and he was not given the skills of teaching and preaching but of craftsmanship, and not just one kind but all kinds that were needed to but the tabernacle and everything in it. Every gift and ability come from God and he will utilize them all for his glory. We are to be filled with Holy Spirit every day, listen and seek where and how to use the gifts we have been given. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you give your servants what we need when we need it, you provide all we need and your glory shine around us. I thank you for the gifts you have given me and those abilities that are there to be utilized for your glory. I open my heart to you to be filled with your desires for my skills.

 

Puffed or jealous

Reading: Exodus 28-29 and Romans 12

 

Scripture: Romans 12:3-4, For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

 

Thoughts: Paul was telling us to know who we are in Christ, and warning about pride. It is easy to fall into I did this great thing I did that great thing and puff ourselves up or get ahead of God’s plan. I also think that he was warning us about jealousy as easy as getting the “look at me” mentality it’s just as easy to fall into the “I wish I could …” mentality. We are all gifted in different ways. I know people who walk in the prophetic, I know people who walk in the healings, other who have the gift of street evangelism. I also know teachers and musicians who all use their talents for the glory of God and I can’t hold myself to the standard of their gifts. We need to have right thinking of who we are in Christ.

 

Prayer: Father God, you give us all talents and gifts, you pour your love out on this world even when they don’t recognize you. I thank you for all you are doing in my life and all you have planed for me. I ask that you help me keep my perspective and know you gave me my talents for a reason and give me direction. 

Grafted in

Reading: Exodus 26-27, Romans 11, and Matthew 28

Scripture: Romans 11:20-21, That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

Thoughts: There are churches and pastors out there who teach, once saved always saved fire insurance style salvation. Paul talking about the grafting believers into the family of God and where our nurturance comes from. Some of the people in the church at the time were getting puffed up or conceited because there were some who were cut off and that they became brought in. Salvation is not fire insurance but a daily choice to seek God and accept the nurturance that sustains us. Going on to say that if we are not standing firm through faith we could be cut off again. We need to walk humbly in that there is nothing we can do to get ourselves to heaven or into right relationship with God it is all a gift given through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Like any relationship we have to work on it and have quality time with them otherwise it will fall apart and that is when we could be cut off. 

Prayer: Father God, you supply all our need, you pour out blessings and lead us to green pastures. I thank you for all you do and seek to know you more. Lead me and guide me. Open my eyes to things that I am holding onto that are not of you, help me grow our relationship and dive deeper into your love. 

Beautiful feet

Reading: Exodus 24-25, Psalm 129, Romans 10, and Matthew 27

Scripture: Romans 10:15, And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Thoughts: Jesus gave us after his resurrection what we call The Great Commission, we are told to go into all the world and preach the good news. We have been given the good news, and many people believe that it’s the job of the pastors and priests of the world to shar the gospel so we just need to get them to church so that they can do their job. The Greek used here for to preach it kerysso – to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done. When you have encountered Christ and know him, we are to preach the good news. This really just looks like telling our story about encountering God. What it your God encounter story, and have you shared it with anyone?

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful your creation shouts your glory and majesty. I thank you that I have a story to share. I ask that you help me to see those who you have for me to speak to and share your love with. 

Little by little

Reading: Exodus 23, Psalm 119:137-176, and Romans 9

Scripture: Exodus 23:29-30, I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.

Thoughts: I have had situations in my life where I wanted God to fix it now or take this or that issue from me. The reason God did not clear our the promised land was one it would like time to get for the people of Israel to make their way through the nation and God did not want the land to be reclaimed by nature or others. There are times when God will fix or remove something in our lives and when he does it is a 100 percent fix. There are also times where things happen incrementally, like my medical issues. I was partially healed during a retreat two years ago, it gave me my breath back and I was able to play with my kids, but it was not completely gone. I am now scheduled to have surgery to repair the issues at a time where it will cost me nothing. Lust has been in issue for me for probably 25 years, but within the last year God has released me from it, I still have temptations and sometimes still look but the strangle hold it had on me has been released. God has the power to take it all away but the wisdom that knows what will fill that space if he does. 

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful. I thank you for all you have done the things you have set me free from and the journey I am walking through with you by my side. I ask that you help me to continue to overcome every obstacle that comes before me in your timing and with your power. 

Hypernikao

Reading: Exodus 22, Psalm 119:97-136, and Romans 8

Scripture: Romans 8:37, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Thoughts: I love this verse in that Paul is reminding us that we can overcome anything with Christ on our side. As I was reading and remembering a teaching from one of the elders of my church about this I thought about being MORE than a conqueror. I know that when thinking about conquering something it is like the one and done, in the Greek hypernikao this is not just a victory but surpassing victory. On earth we have victories even victories that are won by the Lord. Surpassing victory is not a victory we can win on our own but such a victory through Christ Jesus that where is no way for it to return. Over the course of history there is victories but there is always a trace or remnant that can be found. When God has a hypernikao in your life there will be no trace, no remnant of that opponent left in our life. We are told that through Christ we have the opportunity to claim the surpassing victory in our lives and be MORE than conquerors. 

Prayer: Lord you are the one who overcomes all, you lead us and guide us through the war that is raging around us. I thank you that through your Son we can be MORE than conquerors. I ask that you help us to walk in your plans and seek your directions to claim your surpassing victory.