Feb. 10, 2010 Devotions

Matthew 25:31-36
Never underestimate the importance of hospitality or ministry to the brethren.  It is the same as ministering to Christ Himself, and he places great importance on it.

Matthew 26:1-13
Sometimes it is the one who seems least important, or little educated, or small that is the one who really “gets it.”  The disciples had been with Jesus for three years – listening to Him, living with Him, eating with Him.  Yet they didn’t understand that He would die.  Mary, a quiet woman who opened her home to Jesus, listened with her heart and God opened her understanding, and she anointed Him against His burial.  I’m sure the disciples discounted her.  “She’s just a hostess” or “just a woman.”  But she is the one who was honored because she actually listened to and understood the words of Jesus.

Matthew 26:33-35
I am so glad that the Lord chose Peter to be a disciple – it means there is hope for me!  Good ole’ Peter was convinced that he would never deny the Lord.  I stick my foot in my mouth and make assumptions of my actions as he did.  Yet when he repented, the Lord used him in a mighty way at Pentecost.

Exodus 29:45-46  And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Ex. 31:29 – Interesting that whatever touched the sanctified objects would be hold, instead of the unclean making the clean unclean.

Exodus 31
What an honor for Bezaleel to be chosen by the Lord for the work of the tabernacle, and to be filled with the spirit of God for the work.  Has God chosen us for the work in NYC?  Is He filling us with His Spirit to complete the task?

Feb. 9, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 28 – Instructions for the High Priest’s Garments & Work

How wonderful it is that I can come before the Lord without the mediating work of a High Priest!  I have the Best High Priest – Jesus Christ the Son of God.  In vs. 29 Aaron was to bear the names of the twelve tribes into the throne room of God.  Christ bore my name before God the Father when I accepted Him as my Savior.  Now I bear His name and I have access to the Holiest at any time, from any place.  Praise the Lord for my High Priest who offered Himself as one sacrifice for sins forever and finished the work of salvation!

Feb. 6, 2010

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Exodus 23:30 – we follow the Lord’s will, and obtain victory, little by little. 

Exodus 25 – the people were to bring the necessary items to make and furnish the tabernacle.  Moses was to accept these items “of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart” (vs.2).  When we give to the Church, it should be willingly and from the heart – whether time, service, or money.  God is only interested in genuine gifts, not forced giving.

Feb. 5, 2010

Elaine is three months old today.

Matthew 24:1-28 – signs of end time events.

Even so come, Lord Jesus

Feb 4, 2010 Devotions

This is a double day, because I missed my Bible reading yesterday.

Exodus 18:11  Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Could this be a reference to the fact that God showed Himself strong by attacking the various gods of Egypt?  I.e., He showed His power over the sun god by the plague of darkness, etc.?  Moses had just finished rehearsing the Egyptian plagues to Jethro when Jethro made the statement in vs. 11.

Exodus 20
The children of Israel were blessed to have contact and communication with God through the persons of Moses first, and later the priest.  How much more blessed am I to have direct access to God as a believer-priest.

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Feb. 2, 2010 Devotions

Just to clarify, I am on the One Year Bible reading schedule.  I am reading the OT & NT daily, in addition to BSF.  I will figure out Psalms and Proverbs later.

 

Exodus 16:32 – the Lord commanded to keep a pot of manna to show to future generations so that they would know what He had done for His people.  I need to show my children what the Lord has done for our family.

God will always provide for His children.  A tree made the waters sweet.  Moses’ rod brought water from the rock.  Manna fell to the earth daily.  Why take ye thought for the morrow?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 22:31-32 “… have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,  32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”  Praise the Lord that He has made me alive in Christ!

February 1, 2010 Devotions

The Red Sea Miracle

Exodus 14:10-14  “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.  11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?  12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.  13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.  14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

When my circumstances seem impossible, and I cannot see the way out, when my heart is fearful and I feel alone, let me cry out to the LORD.  Only let me not cry with a complaining spirit and a heart critical of God’s design as Israel did.  Let me cry out in dependence and trust.  And let me take my hands off, let me stand still, and let God show His saving arm as He fights for me.

Exodus 14:31  And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

Exodus 15:11  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Matthew 21:23-46 – The Parable of the Wicked Husbandman

The unbelief of Israel always amazes me.  I know it shouldn’t, because so many times I am unbelieving also.  But the words of Jesus here caught my attention -
vs. 37: “ But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.”  How it must hurt the heart of God when anyone rejects Him!  But especially one of His chosen people.  He had given them the promises.  His prophets.  His words.  And last of all He sent unto them His Son, and they did not reverence Him.  They rejected Him.  Then vs. 45-46:  “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.  46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.”   In the end, they realized that Jesus was speaking of them.  That He was offering them the Kingdom, but because of their rejection He was going to take it away and offer it to the Gentiles.  Even then they hardened their hearts and rejected Him the more.  How tragic.  Do I do this in my life?  Not with salvation perhaps, but with His gifts?  His Word?  His promises?  His expectations?  His fellowship?  How many times do I reject Him, and yet expect Him to continue to offer these things?