Abilities

O.T.#257  "Abilities"
March 31, 2014
Exodus 37-Part 1
And Bezaleel made...    Exodus 37:1

LET IT GLOW



What abilities do you have? Can you play the play a musical instrument? Sing, drama, clean, cook, serve? Are you thinking that you have none? It isn't so. Read on.

In this chapter, we read of the plans for the Tabernacle which God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai the second tine. (See chapter 25 for the original instructions.) The construction took about six months.

Verse 1 states : And Bezaleel  made...

Remember now, he was one of the two guys that God gave wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary according to all that the LORD commanded. (36:1) They were faithful in constructing the Tabernacle, where sacrifices were made for the sins of the Israelites, and where God dwelled at the Mercy Seat.

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, said:

Only you can be you. God designed each of us so there would be no duplication in the world. "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." (Romans 12:6a) God has a place in His church where your specialties can shine and you can make a difference. It's up to you to find that place.

 Are we willing to do His will?


LET IT GROW

Did you notice that God is in the specific details of the Tabernacle?
Is He giving you specific details in your life?
Are you asking?

LET IT GO


Trust God for the details.

Let Him use my abilities.

Fathful Workers

O. T. #256 "Faithful Workers"
March 28, 2014
Exodus 36-Part 1
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded.  Exodus 36:1

LET IT GLOW

Verse 1 is a review. Bealeel and Aholiab were called by God to do and oversee the work the work required for constructing the Tabernacle and the priests garments. (35:30-35) They would follow the details which God gave to Moses. Every skilled worker to whom the LORD had given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work set to do it.

In this chapter, we read the descriptions of the men helping in the construction as being:

• wise hearted, which means to become a Judean; Judaize; live as a Jew;
• one in whom  the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary;
• faithful to follow all that the LORD had commanded;
• a man whose heart was stirred up to do the work

When God had qualified them for the work, then they applied themselves to it. The talents we are entrusted  with must no be laid up, but laid out; not hid in a napkin, but traded with. What have we all our gifts for, but to do good with them?  (Matthew Henry)

The workers began when Moses called them to begin.

Our church has been in the process of building a new sanctuary with classroom for a couple of years. We are blessed with members who have as their profession and hobby-electrical, construction, wall installation, artistic painting, woodwork (stairs, prayer benches), beams, and landscaping. These guys give instructions to helpers, as well as doing work themselves. They have been giving their time on Saturdays to help in the construction. Because of their volunteer labor, they are saving the church a lot of money. Certainly, we are blessed.

Our volunteer painters have had to wait until the walls were put up, mudded, and readied before the painting could begin. They have spent time painting the walls in the classrooms and offices. We have an elementary art teacher who is drawing and painting Noah's Ark and the animals in our nursery and toddler room. I told you we are blessed.

I have served on the new building committee for about five years now. We have visited other sanctuaries, employed architects, picked out carpet, roof, fixtures, whatever is needed. (We pray for God's leadership in what pleases Him.) I did not realize there was so much that went into building a new building, much less a new sanctuary.

Not only is there the physical building where the church meets, but there is also the people, called the church. We have teachers, deacons, directors, and a pastor.

Are we doing our part in reaching people with the gospel of Jesus?
Are we willing to do God's work when He calls us to a task?
Are we faithful in building up the spiritual house of our people?
Are we faithful to complete it?


LET IT GROW

Verse 3 tells us that the people, Israelites, continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.

Are we faithful to bring our offerings of praise and thanksgiving, prayers, our self as a servant surrender unto the Lord each morning?
God's grace is free; His compassions are new each morning.

LET IT GO

Be a faithful servant to the Lord Jesus.

Give myself to the Lord's work.

Spend time with my heavenly Father in personal worship each morning.

Be ready when God's time is right.

Willing Hearts

O. T. #255  "Willing Hearts"
March 27, 2014
Exodus 35-Part 1
From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of ...     Exodus 35:5

LET IT GLOW

Are we giving people? Do we give to meet needs of others? Are our hands open when God wants to use something we have? Is our heart open to give? Do we have a willing heart? Things to think about.
 
After being on the mountain forty days without food and water, Moses came down to the people. He gathered the children of Israel together and gave the Sabbath regulations to them:

• These are the words the LORD commanded them to do.
• They were to work six days, but not on the seventh.
• They were to treat the seventh day as their holy day.
• It was to be their Sabbath day of rest to the LORD.
• Whoever does any work on it must be put to death.
• They were told to not even light a fire in their dwellings on the Sabbath day.

Moses had already told the people that God wanted their willing gifts so that the tabernacle could be built (25:1-8). What grace that God would accept gifts from a people who had disobeyed Him and grieved His heart. This was the Lord's offering, so they wanted to give their best. In fact, they gave so
much that Moses had to stop them from bringing more (36:4-7). (Wersbe)

The offering of the LORD was to be given by those who possessed a willing hear. One who gives out of a feeling of group pressure, or for any other reason, ought not give at all. They were to bring precious metals, cloths, skins, and lumber, olive oil, and precious stones. (Falwell)

Have you accepted grace from the Lord? He is willing to give it. He has already paid for it, so it is free to us. We don't deserve it, but He still offers it, even when we disobey.
 

LET IT GROW

The Holy Spirit gave Bezaleel and Aholiab the wisdom to know what to do and the ability to do it. They also taught others how to assist them. They were to construct the Tabernacle and make the priests' special garments.

Scholars estimated the construction of the Tabernacle used a ton of gold, 3/4 tons of silver, and 2 1/4 tons bronze.  (Wiersbe)

Do we use our talents to honor God?
Are we willing to use our stuff for kingdom work?

LET IT GO

Keep the Lord's Day holy.

Use my talents and abilities to honor God.

Candlelight

O. T. #254  "Candlelight"
March 26, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 5
When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:30

LET IT GLOW

Do we light a candle and hide it? No, I light candles so it can give light. (Some candles have a nice scent.) Several times out electricity has gone off and I had use the candles for a light source. Moses' face shone for a while. Read on to find out the details.

The laws were repeated to Moses a second time on Mt. Sinai by God. Perhaps it was due to the
situation with the golden calf and the breaking of the stones on which the Ten Commandments were written. Maybe due that event, frustration caused Moses to forget what he had seen and heard before. Whatever the reason, we know that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, first five books of the Bible.

Verse 26 is a reminder for the children of Israel, when they are living in the Promised Land, to bring their first fruits of their crops into the house of the LORD their God as a sacrifice.

Do we give God the first of our fruits by writing the first check to the church?
It is a matter of worship and attitude.

Christ is the firstfruit, the first born, the first to rise from the dead. (1 Cor. 15:23; Rev. 1:5)
We are the firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1:18)

How often do we worship our Creator?
Are we giving Him the first of our day?

LET IT GROW

What else do we learn?

• Moses was with the LORD 40 days and 40 nights without bread or water.
• Moses wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
• Moses' face did shone brightly as it had after the first trip up the mountain. It was the glory of God reflecting upon him.
• He wore a veil on his face after talking to the men, Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation after returning to them.
• Moses removed the veil when talking with God.

Jesus was the reflection of God with His life.
Are we letting out light, God's love, shine before people?

LET IT GO

Honor God with my firsts.

Let Christ shine I my life.

*Please excuse my lateness. Pop ups kept interfering with my writing, so I had to stop and work on deleting them.

I Give Up

O. T. #253  "I Give Up"
March 25, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 4
For I will... Exodus 34:23

LET IT GLOW

Can I open my hand and release control of it to God? Will I turn it over to Him? Lay it at His feet? Do I believe that God knows what is best? Am I willing to trust Him with it?

We are either in the midst of a problem, have just come out of one, or are waiting to go into one.
Do I give up, forget it, turn my back, say it's not worth it, or do I give it up to God to solve?

The good news is that I am not alone. You are not alone. Are we are trusting God to do what is best, on His timetable, in His own way? Can we let go of this? Can I let go of this?

Open your hand and release it, now. Yes, Lord. Here. I give it up to You.


We are continuing to read of the instructions God gave to Moses while on Mt. Sinai a second time.
In verse 24, God gives Israel some promises:

• He will cast out, drive out nations that are in Israel's way to the Promised Land and those possessing it.
• He will enlarge their territory.
• No one will covet their land.

These are conditional, and will happen if:
all their men will go up three times a year to appear before the LORD God.

Requiring all males to be present for three specified feasts at a central sanctuary would have had a socially and religiously uniting effect on the nation. The men must trust the Lord to protect their landholdings while on pilgrimage to the tabernacle. All three feasts were joyful occasions, being a commemoration of the Exodus (the Feast of Unleavened Bread), expression of gratitude to God for all the grain He had provide (the feast of Harvest, feast of Weeks, or Firstfruits ), and  thanksgiving for the final harvest (the feast of Ingathering, Feasts of the Tabernacles or Booths). (MacArthur)

Do we appear before God three times a day in prayer?
Are we united as a church in our giving?
Do we thank God for His provisions?
Is it with a heart of gratitude or just words we say when others are around or watching?
God has been so very faithful to me. How about you?
Great is His faithfulness, morning by morning.

LET IT GROW

What else was an instruction for Israel?

•  to offer the blood sacrifice along without anything containing yeast (Ex. 23:18;12:8);
•  to not let any of the Passover Feast sacrifice remain until morning. (verse 25)

Leaven, yeast, is a picture of sin in the Bible. Sacrifices were to not contain yeast. Sin is unacceptable to God.

Do we remember when God delivered our soul?
What are we offering to God? He gave His all for us.

LET IT GO

In her devotional book, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says:

This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in God's Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of His Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into God's care.

Let it go, Linda.

Let it go, friend.

 

Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls

O. T. #252  "Redeeming Stamps, Redeeming Souls"
March 24, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 3
All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem.  Exodus 34:20b

LET IT GLOW

Forty years ago I would redeem green stamps that I had collected from merchants throughout the year. I would lick the stamps and place them in special books. Then I would take them to the special store and get merchandise in exchange for the books filled with stamps. The stamps were used in place of money. We have a Redeemer who took our place in payment for our sins. It is Jesus Christ. Have you asked Him to be your Redeemer?

Moses is still on Mt. Sinai, conversing with the LORD God, getting the tablets again. We previously read where God prohibited Israel making false gods. What else did He instruct?

• Keep and celebrate the Feast of the Unleavened Bread by eating bread without yeast, leaven, for 7 days, at the appointed time. This was the Passover, where the first born of the Egyptians died, but the first born of the Israelites, safe under the blooded door post, lived. Israel's firstborn son belonged to the Lord. (verses 18-20)
• The firstborn ox, cattle, and sheep belonged to the LORD. They could redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb. If it was not redeemed, the donkey's neck was to be broken. (Aren't we like donkeys, in need of the Lamb of God as our Redeemer?)
•  They could redeem their first born son. (verse 19)

Christ was referred to as Mary's firstborn, in Luke 2:7.
Who is our Redeemer?
Paul says in Galatians 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

Titus 2:14 says, Who gave himself  (Jesus Christ) for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

Isaiah 41:14 states, Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Romans 3:23-24 tell us For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:14 reminds us, In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Do you know this redeemer? Jesus loves you so much that He came to redeem you, pay the price for our sins so we don't have to.

LET IT GROW

In verse 21, God told the Israelites to strictly observe the Sabbath. they were to work six days and rest on the seventh, even during the harvest time. God was concerned for our physical rest and well-being.

Do we rest and worship our Savior on the Lord's Day? Or is Sunday like any other day of the week?
What are we teaching our family?

LET IT GO

Take a day off, rest, read the Bible, go to worship on Sunday.

Thank Jesus for redeeming my soul.

Jealousy

O. T. #251  "Jealousy"
March 21, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 2
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been jealous of someone or something? I have been jealous when my loved one spent too much time with another, giving their attention or showing love or kindness to another instead of me. Yep, jealous can raise its ugly head. It tries to divide, destroy, or kill relationships. I have to guard myself against it, by loving others more than myself. By seeing things as the truth not lies.
Did you read in our key verse that God is a Jealous God? Read on, friend to find out what makes Him jealous.

We left Moses bowed on his knees, head on the ground, bent in worship of the One True Living God.
Excuse me while I, too, get on my knees in praise, prayer, and worship of El Shaddai, Eloheim, Yhwh, Jehovah. Will you join me?


How humbling it is when I recognize that I commune with the LORD God who created this universe. He who listens to me personally, a sinner, living on this country road, up in the hills. A backwoods, southern ragmuffin country gal that God loves, I am indeed. And o you are loved also. Did you take a moment to speak with your Savior today?

Let's look again at Moses, up on the mountain a second time for 40 days visiting with God, receiving the Ten Commandments again.
What does Moses say first?

• He calls Jesus Lord, which is Adonuy (ad-o-noy') in Hebrew, that we say Adonai, meaning sovereign, controller, lord, master, owner.
• Let my Lord, I pray Thee, go among us. (He is referring to their trip into the Promised Land.)
• He confesses that Israel is a stiffnecked people. (They don't bow easily.)
• Pardon our iniquity (wickedness) and our sin. (Moses is including himself.)
• Take us for Your inheritance, which means to occupy; divide possession, estate, portion.

How did God answer? He will make a covenant.
The covenant has previously been given, accepted, and ratified by the eating of the covenant meal (Ex. 19:3-11). But it had been broken in the golden calf incident. Here God renews the covenant with Israel.  (Falwell)

• Before the people, God will do marvels, which means marvelous miracles, wonderous things, never done in any nation in all the world.
• The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. (NIV)
• Obey what I command you to do today.
• He will drive out all those -ites listed in verse 11.
• Don't make a treaty or covenant with those inhabitants of the land where you're going, lest they be a snare to you.
• Destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.
• Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Jealous, in Webster's Dictionary, refers to preference given to another; suspicious in love.[means envious  in Strong's Concordance]

Do we share the marvelous things God has done for us?
Do we give Him all our allegiance?
Have we compromised our Christian beliefs with other religions in order to keep peace in America?
Do we make God jealous of the others in our life?

LET IT GROW

In verses 15-17, God cautions Israel of religious compromise.

The questionings of one generation can become the doctrine of the next, and one's dabbling in sin can become another's habitual practice. (Falwell)

Can God be any plainer in saying not to become involved with the idol worshipers of the land where Israel is going? Also, don't intermarry. Do not make idols.

We will read of more instructions next time.

As we try to witness to others, be careful to protect your heart from their false doctrine. They will come to your door and try to persuade you into their false worship. Hold up Jesus and His Word, then leave.

LET IT GO

of anything and everything and love God with all my heart, soul, and mind.

and worship only God through Jesus.

Broken Words, Fresh Starts

OT. #250  "Broken Words, Fresh Starts
March 20, 2014
Exodus 34-Part 1
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.  Exodus 34:6

LET IT GLOW

Like Moses, I, too, have broken tablets. I have broken the Ten Commandments, God's Word. Yes, Sir, I have and You know when, where, and why I did each one. Just as You saw Moses literally throw them down to the ground, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, in anger that was waxed hot, (chapter 32) so in sin I break them. You pick up the pieces of my life and forgivingly hand them to me again. To start over again with a fresh start. I know which ones I need to work on. You don't have to say a word or point them out. I know and You know.
It's a new day to start over, fresh, loving and forgiving others as Jesus did me. God will write these again upon my heart instead of  on tablets. I remember them.
Which ones have you broken? Have you broken God's Word? Forgiveness is waiting to pick them up and hand them to you for a fresh start.

What happened in chapter 34?

• Moses chiseled out two stones like the first ones, as he was instructed. (verse 1,4)
• He went up early in the morning, as God had commanded, carrying the two stones in his hands. (verse 4) [Reminds me of Abraham and Isaac carrying wood up the mountain for the burnt offering.]
• Moses returned for another 40 days with God on the mountain (verses 28; Deut. 9:18, 25).
• God came down, descended in a cloud.
• God, in the second person of the Trinity, stood there with Moses.
• He proclaimed His name-the LORD.

In verse 5, LORD, the Hebrew word is Yhovah (yeh-ho-vow'), meaning the Self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, the Lord.

Are we thankful when God gives us a second chance? When He forgives us again and again?

LET IT GROW

God, the second person of the Trinity, came down and walked before Moses, though shrouded in a glorious brightness such as He had during the transfiguration (Matt. 17:2). (Falwell)

What was Jesus proclaiming in verses 6-7?
The LORD, The LORD God is:

• merciful
• gracious,
• longsuffering,
• abundant in goodness and truth.
• keeping mercy for thousands;
• forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin;
• that by no means clears the guilty;
• visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (King James Version)
• compassionate,
• gracious,
• slow to anger,
• abounding in love and faithfulness,
• maintaining love to thousands,
• forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin;
• does not leave the guilty unpunished;
• He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (New International Version)

Moses learned something of God's attributes, especially His mercy and forgiveness, as well as His holiness, righteousness, and judgment.  (Falwell)

Can we thank Him enough? Can we praise Him enough?
Have you experience God's mercy and compassion?
When we do, we should be like Moses by bowing to the ground at once and worship Him. (verse 8)

LET IT GO

Whatever holds me back, let go of it and let God...

Whenever I experience God's forgiveness, bow down and worship Him.

In the Cleft of the Rock

O. T. #249  "In the Cleft of the Rock"
March 19, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 4
And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by.   Exodus 33:22

LET IT GLOW

During our family reunion one hot summer, we all went walking on a hiking trail. Sweating, hot, tired, we found relief in the cleft of the rock which was beside a small waterfall. What a cool relief; a place of relaxation, a refuge from the heat of the hot summer sun.
Our hymn book at church has a couple of songs about the cleft of the rock in which Moses stood as God in all His glory passed in front of him. It was a place of refuge. Can you picture it? Hold that thought as we continue this chapter.

We have seen Moses as the intercessor, mediator, and now as the worshiper. Moses had been promised that God's presence would go with Israel into the Promised Land. But was that enough?
Moses found grace in God's sight and He knows Moses by name.

Moses desired a further, fuller knowledge of God and so requested show me thy glory. What follows is an account of God coming down in the form of a man to appear gloriously and visibly before Moses. But the glory and splendor was so great that God had to shield Moses' view with His hand, so that Moses would not see the fuller essence of God's glory as it shone from His face and would only see God's back parts. This Christophany was to occur upon Mount Sinai the next day. (Falwell)

Moses wanted a new vision of the glory of God. God's goodness means His character and attributes. The word back carries the idea of "what remains," that is, the afterglow of the glory of God-what was "left over" after God passed by. God is spirit. (Wiersbe)

Do we desire more of God in our heart? In our life? In our family? In our neighborhood? In our church?
Do we desire to see Him working around us?
Are we looking for Him today?

LET IT GROW

God agrees to show Himself, His glory to Moses by:

• putting Moses in the clift/cleft of the rock;
• covering Moses with God's hand until He passed by;
• removing His hand so Moses could see God's back;
• without seeing God's face.

In Hebrew, the word for clift means a fissure. (Strong's Concordance)
According to Webster's Dictionary, a fissure is a crack or cleft; a cleft is a crack, crevice, split.

There is a town in the south west corner of  Missouri, named Noel (pronounced with a long o). As you drive along the highway on the outskirts of town, your car will pass under a huge rock hanging over the road. Most of the time water drips off of it. What a beautiful sight to see and experience, being in the cleft of the rock.

When we need it in our life, we can find shelter from a storm, safety from our enemies, comfort from distress, and relief from temptations when we get into God's cleft of the rock. There, God can pass by to reassure us that He is in control. He can bring us whatever we need at the moment. Such a loving and compassionate God we have!

Will you join Him there in the cleft of the rock the next time you need it? He is waiting for you.

LET IT GO

Come into the cleft of the rock, for Jesus is my Rock.

Watch and listen as He passes by.

Thank Him!

He Hideth My Soul by Fannie Crosby:

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonder Savior to me; He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, Where rivers of pleasure I see.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away; He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved, He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blesssings each moment He crowns, and filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God For such a Redeemer as mine!

when clothed in His brightness, transported I rise To meet Him in clouds of the sky, His perfect salvation, His wonderful love, I'll shout with the millions on high.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock That shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, And covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.

Questions

O. T. #248  "Questions"
March 18, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 3
How will anyone know...Exodus 33:17 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Are you like me in that you and I  have questions for God? Mostly, my questions pertain to the future revolving around my little world. Why not ask Him? The answer may be yes, no, not now, wait until the right time comes. Such secrets lie with God, not man, not a fortune teller, only God. Faith is what I need as I walk on this path, this journey of life, taking it step-by-step with Jesus.
What is God's will for me? for my family? for my church? So many questions unanswered. But that's
okay. I don't walk by sight.

It was as though the rest of the chapter was filled with questions:

• Who is God sending with Moses as he leads Israel to conquer the Promised Land?
• Did Moses find favor in God's sight?
• Did God show Moses His ways?
• Is God's presence going with Moses and Israel after all?
• How shall Moses finding favor in God be known?
• Isn't it this favor evidenced by God's presence?
• Is it not in God going with them, that distinguishes Israel from the rest of the people on earth?

LET IT GROW

What does the future hold for Israel? What does the Promised Land hold for Israel?

• Success in every venture. Greatest achievements accomplished. Victory.
• Power to conquer the land. No army could stop them. No city wall could stop them.
• Wealth in the conquering of those cities. Obtaining possession of the enemies.

God said that they were an obstinate people, and He would not go with them when their hearts were far from Him. (Blackaby)


If You aren't going with us, don't bring us up from here.
The only thing missing would be God's presence. Moses valued God's presence, fellowship, and relationship. He didn't want it to be over, but to continue.

Moses continued to intercede for Israel.

If I have found grace in Your sight.
The Hebrew word in this chapter for grace, khane, refers to graciousness, kindness, well favored.
(Strong's Concordance)

We can relax-in verse 17, the LORD reassures Moses that he had found God's grace and God knew him by name. Moses and Jehovah finally reached an agreement.
God was going with Israel and Moses on their journey to the Promised Land.

Did you notice that God knew Moses by name and told him so? Do you think He knows us by name, also?

Are there some things you are not sure of?


LET IT GO

Ask God for answers to my questions.

Trust in His grace, for He is gracious.

Relax, God knows me by name.

How to Talk to Friends

O. T. #247  "How to Talk to Friends"
March 17, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 2
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.  Exodus 33:11

LET IT GLOW

When I was a child, we had a rotary dial phone connected to a party line. When I wanted to  talk to a friend, I had to make sure the line was clear. On a party line, neighbors could hear our conversation and we could hear theirs, just by being on the phone at the same time. So the best way to talk with my friends was face to face, if it was a private conversation.
Today, we have several means of communication-text, cell phone, email, land phone, Facebook, and snail mail (an envelop with a stamp). Moses did not have those modern technologies, as he talked with God. Read on to find out about their communication back in the Old Testament days.

Moses took the tent of meeting, the tabernacle, the Tabernacle of the congregation, as it was called, and pitched it outside the camp some distance away. There he set it up. It was used only for one purpose-a place to meet with God. And that is where Moses met with God. When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.
Verse 7b says, Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.
Yet, we only read of Moses and Joshua going inside. Were the people too scared to enter, although they were allowed? Where was Aaron?

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. (verse 11)

Face to face may mean in open, apparent ways rather than through dreams and visions (Num.12:6-8); or it may include seeing the similitude (temunah in Hebrew) of the Lord. (Falwell)

Similitude means manifestation; likeness. (Strong's Concordance)

So I wonder if Moses conversed with Jesus in human form? Guess I can ask him one day in heaven.

Do we have a special tent, a room, a church building, a special place where we meet with God?


LET IT GROW

Do you recall that 3,000 of the Israelites who worshiped the golden calf idol died by the swards of the Levites. (God instructed them to do so.) Those who lived, I call survivors.
Can you imagine how these people felt experiencing such an event and living? Wouldn't it shake us up, wake us up, stand us up? God holds our life in the palms of His hands.

What did the surviving people do?

• All the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. (verse 8)
• Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. (verse 10)

Do we stand at the reading of God's Word, showing respect? How do we show respect to our pastor?
Do we stand when he enters the worship service?

LET IT GO

...of any idols or things which are more important than God.
...of my pride.
...of my time and spend it with God.
...and show respect to the men of God.

What am I Going to do With You?

O. T. #246  "What am I Going to do With You?"
March 14, 2014
Exodus 33-Part 1
Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.  Exodus 33:5 NIV


LET IT GLOW

When we give and give, yet it isn't appreciated. When we have tried all that we know to do and nothing changes. When our children disobey, don't listen to us, then it turns out bad. We get at the end of our rope, so to speak. Under our breath, we ask, "What am I going to do with you?" Did you know that God got to that point with His children, too? Read on.

We are still in the shadow of the calf of gold, though it was ground to powder, mixed with water, and drank by the people. You will recall that Moses broke the two tablets on which God's commands were written by Him. He threw them down as he reached the foot of the mountain, as he saw the ugly sins of the people, his heart broken, as well as God's heart broken, shattered into pieces.
Moses confronted Aaron about all of this worshiping an idol and singing and dancing before it-an object made of their gold. Aaron only made excuses. Moses called for those that were on the Lord's side to come to him. Only the Levites came. They were sent to kill the idol worshipers-3,000 died that day.
Moses went back to the LORD and interceded for the Israelites to God, begging Him to spare this nation of people, by offering his life in their place. Their sin was paid for with a plague that struck the camp. Whew!

The LORD spoke instructions to Moses:

• Leave this place, you and the people you brought out of Egypt;
• Go to the land of promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
• He would give that land to their descendants;
• God would send an angel before them;
• He would drive out the Canaanite, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites;
• Go to the land flowing with  milk and honey;
• God would not go with them because they are a stiffnecked people and He would destroy them.

This was not the Messenger of Jehovah, the second person of the Trinity as promised before, but a mere created angel. (Falwell)

God's judgment had fallen upon His people.  He keeps His promises, thus He never lies. God's glory was at stake here. Can you hear the disappointment in God's voice?
Do we disappoint God?

LET IT GROW

Here was the good news/bad news. Israel would still enter the Promised Land, but without God's presence on the way. God's sworn covenant-promise couldn't be broken. His divine presence could be set aside due to sin of the people.

God wasn't going one step farther with Israel in the desert. He was fed up, and He let Moses know exactly how He felt. (Warren)

Moses told the people what God had said. How did the people react to this news?
They mourned and did not put on ornaments.

The removal of their jewelry depicted outwardly of the people's sorrow of heart. It was a response analogous to donning sackcloth and ashes. (MacArthur)

Did you catch the twist? God added that He would decide what to do with them.

In aspiration, haven't we often said to our children, "What am I going to do with you?" We don't want an answer, just thinking out loud, at the end of our rope of hope.

Do you hear the silence? The children of Israel wondering what would happen to them without God with them. It would only be land, not a land of love, not a land surrounded by God's love.

I closed the Book. That's it. It's over. No more. I'm done. Where's the good ending?
Don't we feel that way when our problems surround us, enemies taunt us, we feel lower than skum?

But it's not the end, my friend.

Grace is coming. Hold on just a little bit longer. Hope is around the corner. God is working it out for our good and His glory. Hang on, sweet one. Jesus is here!

LET IT GO

of the end of the rope and fall into Jesus' loving arms.

Let Him wipe away those tears.

Let Him dust me off (sin of doubt), set me back up on my feet, and start walking by faith.

Take His hand.

Follow.

Be Flexible

O. T. #245  "Be Flexible"
March 13, 2014
Exodus 32-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

I don't know what the next day holds for me and my family, neither do you. One morning everything was going as planned. My husband and son went to the youth camp for a meeting. Then the call came. It was Mom, telling me that Dad had passed away earlier that morning. Our family changed forever. Our plans for the day changed. Our plans for the week changed.
Change is so hard for me. I like to plan things out, plan my activities for the day or week, then do them. However, through the years, I have been working on being flexible.
What if tomorrow a phone call comes to you and your life is changed forever? Your plans are changed. Will you be ready? Are you willing for God's will to be done?


The next day:

• Moses told the people they had committed a great sin. (verse 30)
• Moses said he would go up to the LORD.
• He wanted to make atonement for the Israelites' sins.

Moses sought to intercede for Israel, asking God to forgive Israel's sin or else blot me, I pray thee, out of Thy book.

Moses' request asked God to act only in one certain way. God would not have Moses, or us, dictate actions to Him that ignore His mercy. God noted that the sinner himself would be punished, not Moses, and he accomplished it via a plague (verse 35).  (Falwell)

Moses returned to the Lord on the mountain and offered to give up his own life that the people might be spared. When a person dies, his or her name is removed from the book of life (Ps. 69:28;
Ezek. 13:9). The book of life (or "the living") should not be confused with the Lamb's Book of Life, which records the names of the saved (Rev. 21:27; Luke 10:20).  (Wiersbe)

Nothing more strongly marked the love of Moses for his people than his sincere willingness to offer up his own life rather than see them disinherited and destroyed. the book to which Moses referred, the psalmist entitled "the book of the living". Untimely or premature death would constitute being blotted out of the book. The apostle Paul displayed a similar, passionate devotion for his kinsmen (Rom. 9:1-3).  (MacArthur)

Such love Moses had for his people!

LET IT GROW

What was God's answer to Moses?

• Whoever sinned against God (worshiping the golden calf idol), He would blot their name out of His book.
• Go, lead the people to the place He had told Moses to take them.
• God's angle would go before them.
• When the time for God to punish them for their sin, He would do it.

Here was an abrupt change in God's plans. Instead of God going with His people, He was sending a created angel with them. Only when Moses is insistent (33:14-15) does God actually accompany the Israelites, renewing His original plan.

Verse 35 tells us that God kept His Word. He struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

God's people had provoked Him to wrath while in the wilderness (Deut. 9:7).

I our relationship with God so close that He would even consider changing His plans for our life or our loved one? Better ye, is it so close that I would consider changing my plans?

Can we surrender to God's will instead of our will?


LET IT GO

Exchange my will for God's will.

Surrender my ways unto God and do things His way.

Be flexible when God changes my plans.

Love my neighbor as myself.

Whose Side Are we On?

O. T. #244  "Whose Side Are we On?"
March 12, 2014
Exodus 32-Part 4
Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? let him come unto me. and all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.   Exodus 32:26

LET IT GLOW

Who wants to be on my side? I remember as a child, before playing any game at recess, we had to decide on whose side we were going to play. Sometimes two people would be the captains and pick their team. Sometimes we would just start playing on a team with out picking. Either way, we had to decide whose side we were on. Moses posed the same question to the children of Israel, his family. Are you ready to listen to it unfold?

Who is on the LORD's side?
Apparently Aaron repented of his sins. Only he and the tribe of Levi responded to this call and rallied to Moses' side. Moses gave the people an opportunity to make a stand for the Lord, to repent, choose which deity they would serve.

Then came judgment to the sinning people. Neutrality could not exist in this open confrontation between good and evil. To do the Lord's will superseded family and national ties.
About 3,000 men died that day; those who persisted in idolatry and immorality (Numbers 5:6-9) The sword of God's judgment preserved His honor and glory.

Are we on the Lord's side? Even to the extent that others are not with us? No matter whose sins are revealed, will we stand?

LET IT GROW

What have you done? What did these people do to you? How could you let them persuade you to do such a thing? How is it that you led them into such great sin? After all that God has done for us!

Aaron knew the answers. He and Hur were left in charge while Moses and Joshua went up on the mountain (24:14) to converse with God. Aaron must have been very fearful as Moses questioned him about his part in the sin. What was the sin? Worshiping an idol, a golden calf, a substitute for God; the sin of unbelief; the people became impatient while waiting for Moses to return to them.

Instead of confessing his sins, Aaron made excuses.
He played the blame game and blamed:

• the people for their depravity (verse 22);
• Moses for his delay (verse 23);
• the furnace for delivering a calf (verse 24). (Wiersbe)

Really? The calf just popped out of the fire inn form by itself?

Isn't that the way we do-blame others for our sinning?
If this hadn't happened, I wouldn't have...
If they had not... I would not have...

Verse 25 NIV says: Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and  so become a laughingstock to their enemies.
KJV says: And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies.)

Naked, in Hebrew, is the word para' (paw-rah'), which means to loosen; to expose; dismiss; uncover.

Israel's sins were bare before the LORD. He saw them loving a thing they made out of gold instead of loving HIM.
Do we worship gold or things it can buy? How much time do we spend polishing that car or truck, things in the house that collect dust?
How important is money to us? Are we spending our spare time wheeling and dealing for more instead of with our family, or in worship serves?
How important is God to us?  Looking in our checkbook and at the way we spend our time will reveal the answer.
Are we spending a part of our spare time in the Word of God, sharing it with others, in Bible study and worship?

LET IT GO

Be content with what I have.

Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Take time to love people to Jesus.

Set my priorities in the manner that pleases God.

Sounds of Sin

O. T. #244  "Sounds of Sin"
March 11, 2014
Exodus 32-Part 3
Moses replied: "It is not the sound of victory; it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear."  Exodus 32:18


LET IT GLOW


I think I will listen today for the different sounds people make. I wonder if I can distinguish their activities or attitudes. Moses was able to. Join me as we read more of chapter 32.

Can you picture an eighty-something year old man, slowly walking down Mt. Sinai where he has spent 40 days with God? Verse 15 says he turned and went down the mountain. When we have a mountaintop experience with God, we have to turn and go down the mountain to the people in the valley below. That is where we minister to the hurting, pick up the broken hearted, love the unlovely, weep with the mourning.

Don't forget that Moses is carrying in his arms two heavy tablets of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. These tablets were the work of God. His finger engraved the words.
Did Moses cling to them closely to his breast as he carefully placed each foot, step by step? Or was his anger growing inside him with each step? Did God's anger spill over to Moses?
Joshua had been somewhere on the mountain or at the foot of it. Anyway, Joshua was conversing with Moses as we pick up in verse 15.

What sounds were heard?

• To Joshua, they were the sound of war.
• To Moses, it was not the sound of victory,
• not the sound of defeat,
• but it was the sound of singing.

Those sinful Israelites were having a party; immorality was ramped; idolatry was evident; the sounds of sin was engulfing.

Do our activities make God happy or angry with us? What sounds do we make-those of sin or praising God?


LET IT GROW

Sadly, Moses reacted to what he saw and heard God's children doing. When he approached the camp, Moses saw the golden calf and the people dancing, what were his reactions?

• Moses threw down the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. (verse 19)
• Moses took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire, then ground it to powder.
• He scattered the powder on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

Dancing before the idol takes place in almost every Hindoo idolatrous feast. (Ward)

The Israelites' present conduct had made a breach in the covenant, broken the laws of their Maker. We must not excuse this act; it was rash and irreverent; God's writing should not have been treated in this way. The Israelites' god was reduced to powder and strewed on the water. It was reduced to a useless state. (Matthew Henry)

Moses had a right to be angry and to humble Aaron and the people. By breaking the two tables of the Law, written by God, Moses dramatically showed the people the greatness of their sin. In His grace, God forgave their sins, but in His government, He had to discipline the people. How many tears have been caused by the painful consequences of forgiven sins!

Moses pictured the nation breaking God's commandments by actually breaking the tablets on which they were written. (MacArthur)

Does our sin break the heart of Christ? What about our lack of faith? trust?

Sweet heart, it is time we took seriously our sins and confess them.


LET IT GO

Confess.
Change.
Challenge.

A Stiffnecked Horse and a Stiffnecked People

O. T. #245 
"A Stiffnecked Horse and a Stiffnecked People"
March 10, 2014
Exodus 32-Part 2
And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and , behold, it is a stiffnecked people.
Exodus 32:9

LET IT GLOW

Since I have a senior's memory, humor me. I vaguely recall riding our horse with my brother, one day on the farm, when I was a child. It went into the blackberry patch, which has thorns. The horse refused to turn around, due to its getting stuck. The stubborn, stiffnecked horse wouldn't do anything. We had to get off of the horse, turn it with the reins, and walk it out of the sticker mess. If it had not turned, it would still be standing there, in the midst of the sticky, painful mess. (Well, maybe not. It would be over 50 years old and dead.) So it is with me, when I am too stubborn to turn to God in repentance.

As a review: The leader of Israel, Moses, was up on Mt. Sinai getting the law and instructions for the Tabernacle from God for 40 days. They didn't know what happened to the fellow who brought them out of Egypt. Maybe he had died. So while Moses was gone, the people went to Aaron. They wanted him to make gods for them. Well, Aaron didn't stand up against them. He made a golden calf and an altar for them to worship after all that God had done for them. Of all things, they also brought burnt and peace offerings to the LORD.

Meanwhile, down below the mountain, back at camp, the people were sinning. Their impatience led to unbelief, which led to idolatry, which led to immorality. (Rom. 1:18-31)

God knew what was going on below, of course. He told Moses to go down for the people had  corrupted themselves. Corrupted means to decay; destroy; perish.

If left alone, our soul will decay and perish, for it is corrupt with sin. We are sinners, in need of a Savior. Jesus came to redeem our corrupt soul. Has He redeemed you?

Oh my, the Lord was angry, and justifiably so. This people, His chosen people, Moses' people had forsaken the One True God.

Israel is viewed here as Moses' responsibility since he was the mediator of the covenant. (Falwell)

What happened?

• God was offering to kill the Israelites, as He did twice during Moses' life.
• God called His people a stiffnecked people, which refers to the nape; the back of the neck. 
• The term comes from a horse or ox that refuses to be turned by the reins.
• He offered to use Moses to raise up another new nation (verse 10; Num. 14:12).

How did Moses react?

• Moses refused the offer. These were his brothers and sisters and his children.
• The Jews never realized what a price their leader Moses paid, and with little appreciation.
• Here is God's servant interceding for a sinful people, as Jesus does for us.
• Moses called Israel God's people. He reminded God that His name, character, and power would be called in question by the heathen if they wee to consume Israel.
• He reminded God of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) in verse 13. God promised to give their family the Promised Land to inherit forever. Was God going to go back on His promise?
• Moses stood between the nation and their angry God.

Romans 8:27 NIV states: And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:34 says, Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Are we a stiffnecked people who refuses to turn from our sins and back to God? How about our nation? We have idolatry, false religions, cults, adultery, homosexuality, immorality running ramped. What do we do? Are we praying for our family? Our neighbors? Our friends?

LET IT GROW

Verses 1-14 occurred before Moses went down off the mountain. A nation's future hung in the valence.
Verse 14 reads: And the LORD repented of the evil which He thought to do unto His people.

Liberty Bible Commentary explains:

And the LORD repented of the evil. This is an anthropomorphic expression (a description of God using human terminology), to indicate a change in His previously announced plans, due in the case to the intercession of Moses on Israel's behalf. In other cases, when men change their actions, God may change His (John 3:10).

God forgave Israel's sins. His grace is so evident. They got what they did not deserve.
We are in the same boat. We are sinners in need of the grace of God.

LET IT GO

Turn from my sins by confessing  them and asking God's forgiveness.

Do not be stiffnecked; go where He leads.

Pray for others to have a tender heart and repentance.

Pray for God's grace. 

Don't corrupt my mind with the things of this world.

Reaching the Top of the Mountain Called Faith

O. T. #242 
 "Reaching the Top of the Mountain Called Faith"
March 7, 2014
Exodus 32-Part 1
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.  Exodus 32:1

LET IT GLOW

When our children were small and we were traveling around the mountains to Grandma's, we would sing the old song She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain When she Comes. It tells about the preparations being made for "her."
Friends, I feel like I have been goin' 'round and 'round that mountain called Faith. I struggled to reach the top, where Jesus holds out His hands to help me take the last step up. Read on to find out how it turned out.

Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai with God. What had God previously done for his people?

• He had chosen the Jews to be His special people and set apart from all others to form the nation of Israel.
• He had delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and Pharaoh's army.
• He had led them safely through the Red Sea and into the wilderness.
• God fed them and provided water for them in the wilderness.
• He protected them from their enemies.
• God made them a part of His covenant.
• He gave them His laws and they agreed to obey (19:8; 24:3-7).
• God had shown His people an awesome display of God's glory and they trembled at His power.

Yet, despite all of these wonderful and marvelous experiences, the Israelites disobeyed God and turned to idolatry and immorality. And we wonder how this could happen.
Before we point out finger and shake it at them in judgment, let's consider our own sins.

When God delivers us from a bad situation, provides for us through trials, protects us from our enemies, what do we do? Do we praise Him for it or do we say that we did it on our own? Do we surrender in obedience on Sunday and turn around and repeat the same sins on Monday?
Oh, so guilty.

LET IT GROW

Coming down the mountain.
Moses had spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai, receiving the law from God. I wonder if that is when he wrote it all down. A lot happened during that time. Pull the curtain back and look outside.
What happened?

• Aaron came down from the mountain sometime during those days. We aren't told about it nor why it happened. I wonder if God released him or Aaron returned on his own while waiting on Moses.
• The people became impatient waiting for their leader Moses to return to them.
• Their basic sin was that of unbelief. Without true faith, they desired a god to see and worship.
• Their impatience and unbelief led to idolatry, which led to immorality (Rom. 1:18-32).

Continuing on with the story, the people gathered around Aaron and demanded him to come, make us gods who will go before us. (verse 1)

How did Aaron respond? What did the people do?

• Aaron told them to give him their gold earrings, which they did.
• He fashioned the gold into a molten calf. Fashioned (yatsar/yaw-tsar') means to mold into form, as a potter.
• Then the people said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. What an outright lie!
• Aaron saw this, and he built an altar in front of the golden calf and announced, Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.
• I had been taught that it was to the golden calf that the Israelites brought their offerings to instead of the LORD. LORD refers to Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. 
• The people rose up early and offered their burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.  
• Then they sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Play, in Hebrew, means to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); to sport; laugh, mock.

Oh, my. Do you know what we read happened? Here the Israelites have a golden calf, an idol, and an altar in front of it, and they had the gall to present offerings unto the LORD God Jehovah, then scorn and make fun of the LORD GOD!

Stay tuned...come back Monday for the rest of the story. Of course, you can read the rest of the chapter before then.

Our sin of unbelief must be a mockery to God.
Yes, I have spent time worrying about a situation. I can lay down this need at my Savior's feet and then pick it on my way out of the Throne Room. This burden on my back becomes heavy. Why can't I hand it over to Jesus for Him to carry? After all, He holds the world in His hands.

Do you mind if I share a personal situation? My sister had breast cancer surgery last month. I spent two weeks worrying about my mammogram, being called in for a second one for further investigation. Of the two spots, one was nothing and the other was calcification. I will go every six months for the next two years to see if it has changed. So will I spend the next six months or even two years worrying about it turning into cancer? No. The Lord took me to the mountain of faith. I took His hand for the last step. I handed worry to Him while I was there. He exchanged it for love, grace, and mercy. Now as I am walking down it on this country road called faith, I am praising Him. How can I do anything less than thank, praise, and share what God has done for me! When this distraction comes into my mind in the form of worry, I tell say that Jesus took it while I was on that Mountain called Faith. I left that there. So He is walking and talking with me along this road of life.
Will you join me? God is so merciful and gracious.

LET IT GO

...of any idols and sins I have.

...of any worries, handing them to Jesus.

...and let God...

TRUST JESUS

Abilities and Skills

O. T. #241  "Abilities and Skills"
March 6, 2014
Exodus 31-Part 1
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.  Exodus 31:3

LET IT GLOW

What kind of skills do we have? Perhaps it is one in which you received training to develop or one that you have acquired on your own. In thinking on that, I learned to sew while in high school, taught myself to knit, Mom showed me how to crochet and cook. I have since learned the techniques of teaching from my college education, but desire to develop better writing techniques. I have other abilities, which I can use for the Lord.
How about you? What skills do you have?

The first man that the Bible says was filled with the Spirit of God is the man called Bezaleel. His filling was for service-not speaking, but working with his hands. He carefully constructed the tabernacle and its furniture with the help of others, according to the price instructions of God. (Falwell)

Bezaleel had helpers, including Aholiab, in whom God put wisdom to construct the furniture of the Tabernacle. Their wisdom and skills came from the Lord. They used their abilities in obedience to God's command.
Whenever God calls us to do a job for Him, He enables us with what we need and the help that we need to complete it.
Do we have artistic skills that can be dedicated to God and used for His glory?
Are we called to be a preacher, teacher, or missionary? Or are we called to be a Christian writer, artist, musician, architect, doctor, gardener?
In every legitimate vocation, we can serve the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31).

Are we using our vocation in honor for the Lord Jesus?

LET IT GROW

Again, instructions are given concerning the Sabbaths.
We learn that the Sabbaths were:

• given to the children of Israel to keep;
• holy unto them;
• not to be a day of work but rest;
• to be observed throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant;
• a sign between Israel and God;
• violators were to be cut off from their people.

Christians meet on Sunday, resurrection day, and the first day of the week, for worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).

Do we keep Sundays as days of worship and rest?

LET IT GO

...our work so I can worship and rest.
...worries and problems to Jesus.
...the past week and start an new week.

Bathing our Body and Cleansing our Soul

O. T. #240  "Bathing our Body and Cleansing our Soul"
March 5, 2014
Exodus 30-Part 2
Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.  Exodus 30:25

LET IT GLOW

Do we wash, bathe, before we enter the House of God for worship? Probably all of us would answer "Of course." We clean our body to rid it of its filth and dirt, but do we clean our soul of its filthy sins by confessing them to Jesus and asking forgiveness? Usually, I do this inside the church, not thinking of doing it before entering it. Are you with me?
The priests in Moses' day had requirements about cleansing and anointing.  
We have talked about being a praying people and a grateful people, and now we will discuss being a cleansed people.

First was the brazen altar of sacrifice and then the brazen laver. Brass signified judgment. Both had to be used, or death would occur. The priests had to wash their hands and feet prior to any ministry. Our initial cleansing comes first at the altar of sacrifice, through Christ's shed blood. Repeated cleansings are needed daily and are received as we bathe in the Word of God (John 15:3) and confess our sins to the Father (1 John 1:9). (Falwell)

There was no floor in the Tabernacle, so the feet of the priests would get dirty. Also, the handling of the sacrifices would defile their hands.
The laver was made out of brass mirrors (38:8). The mirror is a picture of the Word of God (James 1:23-25) and the laver illustrates the cleansing power of God's Word (John 15:3; Ps. 119:9). When we trust Jesus Christ, we are "washed all over" once and for all, but it is necessary to confess our sins and "wash our hands and feet" if we want to enjoy fellowship with the Lord (1 John 13:1-11).
(Wiersbe)

Do we daily bathe in God's Word? How seriously do we take God's Word?

LET IT GROW

The kingdom of priests is made up of anointed people, also.
The anointing oil:

• was made up of specific amounts of special ingredients, a unique blend of myrrh (4 qts.), 12 1/2 pounds of each cinnamon, calamus, and cassia. (This is the first mention of the last three spices.) Then all was mixed with olive oil. (verses 22-24)
• was set apart for use only in the Tabernacle.
• was made by a skilled perfumer, apothecary. (verse 25)
• was a sacred oil to not have common use. (verses 32-33)
• was to be used to anoint the furniture within the Tabernacle. Whatever touches them shall be holy. (verse 26-29)
• was used to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. (verse 30)

Anointed is a verb meaning to wet or daub a person with olive oil. Kings, priests, and prophets were anointed at the beginning of their service. this ritual identified a person or object as set apart for god's special purposes. (MacArthur)

Today, when elders wish to anoint with oil (James 5:14), plain olive oil is used. (Falwell)

God's people are anointed today by the Holy Spirit of God. 1 John 2:20, 27)

2 Cor. 1:21-22 NIV say, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.


Are we living as anointed people, set apart for God's service?
Is His Spirit within our heart?

LET IT(My Sins) GO

-and let God...
-so God will...
-and be...

Do I Ever Pray Enough?

O. T. #239  "Do I Ever Pray Enough?"
March 4, 2014
Exodus 30-Part 1
The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.  Exodus 30:15

LET IT GLOW

When it comes to prayer, does it matter if we are rich or poor? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us we would be blessed for being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). We come to Him as a needy, poor beggar. Our spiritual cup is empty and in need of filled. We will receive heaven when we do. Prayer is communication with God-listening and speaking. Do I pray often enough? How much is enough?Do I ever do enough praying? Shouldn't it be never ending? His love and mercy are unending, forever mine.

God wanted the Israelites, His people, to be a kingdom of priests. (Ex. 19:6) In the Old Testament, the priest would represent the people before God. Today, a Christians, believer in Jesus, is a priest (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6).

What kind of people make up "a kingdom of priests?" Wiersbe says they are:

• a praying people,
• a grateful people,
• a cleansed people,
• an anointed people.

As you will recall, there were two altars in the Tabernacle-a bronze altar where the blood sacrifices were made and the golden altar, for the incense to burn.  Frankincense was burned on the latter. It was a sweet-smelling aroma to the Lord.

The golden altar was made of wood, covered with gold, about 18 inches square, and stood about waist high. They transported the golden altar using golden staves placed in its golden rings. This altar was placed in front of the veil by the Ark of the testimony or covenant. Incense pictures the prayers of the saints (Rev. 5:8, 8:3-4), which was to continually burn upon this altar. (Falwell)

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament  explains :

• The burning of incense pictures the offering up of our prayers (Ps. 141:2; Luke 1:10).
• The fire that consumes the incense reminds us of the Holy Spirit, for without His aid we cannot truly pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 20).
• The golden altar stood before the veil, outside the Holy of Holies, but we are privileged to come boldly into God's presence and bring out requests to Him (Heb.4:14-16; 10:19-22).
• The high priest burned the incense each morning and evening, a reminder that we should open and close the day with prayer and during the day "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). The priest carried the fragrance of the incense with him all the day. 
• The special composition of the incense is given in verses 34-38, and this formula was not to be used for common purposes. Likewise, prayer is special, and God dictates what the requirements are for effective praying.
• Strange incense (verse 9) and strange fire (Lev. 10:1) were not to be used on God's altar. No matter how fervent a prayer might be, if it is not according to God's will, it will not be answered.

The altar of incense was the last piece of furniture to which the high priest came before he entered the Holy of Holies once a year. His duties ensured proper incense was offered continually upon this altar and annually cleansing the altar with blood from the atonement offering (verse 10) received attention.
(MacArthur)

Do we carry the fragrance of our morning prayer time with the Lord throughout our day?
Do we pray all day long?
Are we teaching our children and grandchildren that prayer is important to us, and  that God answers our prayers?

Jesus calls His house a House of Prayer in Luke 19:46 and Isaiah 56:6-8. Is our house of worship His House of Prayer?

LET IT GROW

I forgot that Moses was up on the mountain, receiving all of this (Ex. 24:18-32:7) from God as part of the forty days spent there.

Verses 12-14 speaks about the census to be taken. All males of military age were numbered (verse 14). Every man was to give a ransom for his soul. Every male 20 years old and older were required to give half a shekel of silver as a ransom for his soul.(1 Chron. 21) A shekel weighed about 4/10  of an ounce (Lev. 5:15; 27:3, 25;Num. 3:47; 7:13)

A ransom, kopher (ko'fer) in Hebrew, means a redemption-price; bribe, satisfaction, sum of money.
(Strong's Concordance)

The rich and poor were to give an equal amount (verse 14). No boasting would be tolerated. All are equally in need of God's provision. The atonement money was appointed for the service of the Tabernacle (38:25-28), and was used primarily for making the sockets of silver, the foundation of the entire Tabernacle. (Falwell)

In Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, Jesus said, Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Jesus gave His life as a ransom in our place, so we don't have to pay for our sins. Can we ever thank Him enough? It was a price that He didn't have to pay, He didn't owe. Such love!

Do we willingly give up our life, deny our self, take up our cross, and follow Jesus each day?
How willing are we to give our life for another?

LET GO

• of my will to do God's will;
• of my life to glorify Jesus,
• of my things and money to be used to meet the needs of others,
• of my time so my Savior is pleased,
• of everything I am holding too tightly so when He requires it, I can give it easily.

Become a more praying person.

What Will I Offer Today?

O.T. #238 "What Will I Offer Today?"
March 3, 2014
Exodus 29-Part 3
...I am the LORD their God.  Exodus 29:46d

LET IT GLOW

What do I have to offer people? I'm not talking about "things we can hold in our hands," but those intangible, friend. Things like love, joy, peace, and hope from knowing God through Jesus.
What do I have to offer God, other than physical and monetary things?
I have my heart, soul, life, devotion, obedience, talents, time, words, actions to give.
Offer means to present, put forth.
What do I have to offer?
What will I give away today?
What will I offer to another today?
Read on to see what the priests were to offer to God.

In verses 38-46, we read of some I wills which God tells Israel through Moses.

God will:

• meet with you (Aaron), to speak there unto thee;
• meet with the children of Israel, and the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by His glory;
• sanctify the Tabernacle of the congregation and the altar;
• sanctify both Aaron and his sons, to minister to God in the priest's office;
• dwell among the children of Israel, and be their God.

According to Strong's Concordance, the word sanctify, in Hebrew, is qadash (pronounced kaw-dash'), means to be, make, pronounced, or observe clean (ceremonially or morally); purify.

Do we consider our house of worship to be a sanctified place?
When God's Spirit dwells within believers in Jesus, aren't we considered a sanctified place for Him to dwell?
In His prayer, Christ said, Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)

The author of Hebrews 13:12 said, Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.

1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Are we sanctifying ourselves by confessing our sins to Jesus so He can purify, forgive, us?
Do we share with others how they can be sanctified?

LET IT GROW

As part of the duties of the priests, they were to begin and end each day with the burnt offerings.
 In the morning, the priests were to:

• remove the ashes from the altar,
• get the fire burning,
• then offer the lamb to the Lord. (Lev. 6:8-13)
• accompany it with flour, oil, and wine.

Isn't this a beautiful picture of what our morning "devotional time" ought to be like?

Stir up the gift of God (2 Tim. 1:6) literally means "fan into full flame."

Do we let the fire on the altar of our hearts get low (Rev. 2:4), become lukewarm (Rev. 3:16), or even cold (Matt. 24:12)?
God's Spirit lives within us and therefore we should be a separated people who bring glory to God
 (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).

Israel was the only nation to have God's glory (Rom. 9:4), which moved into the Holy of Holies inside the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34; 29:43).

LET IT GO

Make sure He is the LORD my God.

Keep the fire of my heart burning for God.

Stay in God's Word.

Be ready to give an answer for the hope within me-Jesus.

I offer my life to be used according to His plan, for God's glory.