January 29, 2010, Exodus 23 & 24, Psalm 14, Acts 5

January 29, 2010, Exodus 23 & 24, Psalm 14, Acts 5

Third time I have done this…. Lost it … and must start over again.

Title: When it is wrong, it is wrong…. No matter how the masses think.
S: Ex 23:2 “Do not follow the crowd in wrong doing.”
O: Popular opinion changes. Since I was a girl much of what was illegal and thought wrong has changed both in law and in popular acceptance. Homosexuality, abortion and drugs were illegal when I was young and now all are legal … well personal use marijuana is legal. So are they right or wrong since the laws and popular opinion has changed…. I think that if I carefully read this book I can know what is right and wrong.
P: Discernment.

Title: The poor should receive justice.
S: Ex 23:6 “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.”
O: Justice means that the poor will receive the same legal assistance as anyone else and then receive just judgments. It means that we will not let the poor off just because they are poor but also that their defense will excellent. Does legal aid or the pro bono cases of law companies give such a defense to the poor? I doubt it.
P: Justice.

Title: Be good to foreigners in your land.
S: Ex 23:9 “Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens…”
O: It is hard to figure this book out. At the end of this same chapter it says that when you come to a land that is to be conquered to drive out the people that live there and not let them live in your land. Which is it good to the alien or not? The only difference I can see is that it is different when you are in charge of a country and take in people and when you enter a country to take it over….. a conquered people are resentful and may rise again if they become strong. So being good to the aliens that come into our country is wise but allowing such goodness to a conquered nation after war is not. I think our county is good to aliens but I have never been one so how would I know. I read a book once about a person that was white and colored his skin black and then traveled the Southern States…. The experience was different than he expected. That is what I think about aliens in our land… I probably have no idea of the problems they experience.
P: To think of those who come to our land in the same way as God does ….. deserving of all of His goodness and grace.


Title: Do not work on the Sabbath.
S: Ex 23:12 “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.”
O: How important is the Sabbath to our family. Well as a holy day…. Not important enough…. Our business is a 24/7 service and so our workers must often work on the Sabbath and so do we. Often if it is a family gathering I seem to have to stay home and cook if I am not organized enough to get it all ready on the Saturday. Do we give up our business? Do I give up family dinners on Sunday or do I just get more organized. Getting more organized and doing everything Saturday is something that can be done with planning but giving up the business that has fed us for over 35 years is what we know so not sure on that one. How important is God to me… very…. But I am a wife and do not control the family business…. So will have to pray on this.
P: A holy Sabbath for all of the family.

Title: Angels help us out.
S: Ex 23:20 “So I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”
O: Is this verse just for the Israelites in the desert or do we have an angel going before us……I often wonder this …. If we are getting extra help down here from angelic powers….. I choose to think we are and will read my Bible that way as it really makes me feel good.

Title: How to take over a country.
S: Ex 23:30 “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”
O: War is not the most efficient way of taking over a country…. Population expansion is… even God says so. If the Jews or the Arabs want to take possession of certain territories the plan should be to inhabit as much land as possible and then have many children. Birth control has a way of diminishing particular races and may completely change the demographics of nations including the U.S. and Canada.
A: There really isn’t any – Christians are not born through physical birth but through spiritual birth and come in every race, color and creed. We can go and live in nations that have low Christian populations and by being salt and light have an effect but perhaps North America is becoming more secular than countries that we presently send missionaries to so it is difficult to know where the most needy mission field is right now.
P: Not sure.

S: Ex 23:33 “Do not let them live in your land (the alien) , or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”
O: So what happened to Ex 23:9 and “do not oppress an alien” is there not an inconsistency here or is there a difference in when you take over a land and when there is a minority already within your land. I think the teaching here is to treat the alien who is a minority in your land well however if you are taking over a country the recommendation is to drive out the alien since these people who are beaten will be an unfriendly foe within your borders if they are a conquered people. I think that eliminating the alien within a conquered country does not seem moral. This sounds like genocide --- but here it is as God’s advice here. It actually does not say kill them all it just says do not let them live in your land….. or I assume to push them out of their land. I guess that is how war works.
A: We judge nations that do this … it seems wrong.. Darfur etc., peaceful co-existence certainly seems more humane.
P:


S: Ex 24: 9 “Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.”
O: I really do not get this…. Ex 24:2 says “but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near.” …… and then by the end of the verse it says that 74 people including Moses went up and saw God and nothing happened to them…… this seems odd to me. Perhaps they were keeping their distance and saw God but it was not that close and so was not the kind of face to face experience that God did not permit. He does say to Moses come up to me on the mountain … so the 74 of them must have been quite a distance away and this was permissible….. the “worship at a distance” part of the verse.

S: Ex: 24: 15 “When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and he is in the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. “
O: So Moses is in a cloud, and God is in a cloud and so the experience is a e clouded image… not a clear one. Moses is a very old man at this time and he must not have eaten anything for the 40 days so it is a vague image while he is a physically deprived state… a situation conducive to some type of altered state of experience ….. but he came back with the ten
commandments on tablets and this has been the basis of all law and religion since that time so a very productive experience.
A: Moses got away with God on a mountain top and great things happened. Perhaps we are so busy with doing good things that we seldom get on a mountain top with God for 40 days and therefore little of great spiritual value is accomplished. Perhaps more would be accomplished for the kingdom if we stopped flapping our wings and just spent more time alone with God.
P: More time alone with God.

Psalm 14

S: Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”
O: Whenever it is discouraging when talking with those who really contend that there is no God… it is good to remember that God calls them fools…. That is what God thinks of those who deny His existence.
A: Have courage in the face of dissent.
P: Lord please give me courage when others are antagonistic against you.

Acts 5
S: Acts 5:4 “You have not lied to men but to God.”
O: This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira who sold a piece of land and want the praise of others and so they agree to lie and say that they are giving all the money that they have received for the land to God. And both of them, after lying about the amount that the received when handing it over to Peter, drop dead. The problem is that what they want is the approval of others for their good deeds. They could have said this is part of the money but they agreed to lie and it was this lying to God and this desire to have the approval of others regarding their Christian work that is their sin. How God must abhor our desire to have the approval of others for our Christian deeds…. It is a hanging offence so to speak. How important to keep our deeds secret.
A: Here is where I have a problem. Often if you give money to the church, if it is a good sum, someone finds out about it. I think that only the treasurer of a church should ever know who gives what. We are suppose to give to our local church but if you do it is always found out about (this has been my experience anyway) and so I have a hard time giving to the church that I attend as I am concerned that someone might find out and then we will have this regard that is not acceptable.
P: The ability to give and not be found out.

S: Acts 5:15 “people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that alt least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”
O: Why would Peter’s shadow have any healing powers? He is a man although spiritually endowed with the gift of healing however I can not see how his shadow should have any extraordinary powers. This seems contrary to how God works. It should be through God’s power and not Peter’s power that healing occurs. Do not understand this verse.
A: The Catholic church looks at Peter differently then the protestant church does. Should we regard Peter differently than we do? I do not think so. Perhaps the people who were trying to get Peter’s shadow to fall on them were wrong. All pastors including Peter as far as I understand are only the messenger of God’s power and message and are not to be regarded greatly but for their ability to channel God’s power.
P: Lord help me to be enamored more with you than with your messengers.

S: Acts 5:21 “At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.”
O: I have such trouble getting to daytime activities at the church and I often think that it would be great to go to church early in the morning as I find it such a good habit to go to the gym early. My daughter goes to a Korean church and she has just learned that they have 4:00 a.m. church every day – wow – I wonder how that would change the world… Arabs pray at 5:00 a.m. everyday…. Think this would be hard to do and I do not believe in legalism of having to do some difficult feat for the sake of it however do think that would love to do that early morning time with God.
A: Get to bed early so I can get up early.
P: Lord help me just for today to get to bed early and help me to get up early tomorrow to spend time with you.

S: Acts 5:42 “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
O: Day after day they are teaching and preaching Jesus – what an example to imitate.
A: Share more.
P: Help bring about opportunities to share you with others.

January 28, 2010, Ex 21 & 22, Psalm 12, Acts 4

Title:  Law and Order comes from Exodus 21

Title:  Penalties for Murder

S: Ex 21: 12-14 “ Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death.  However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death

O: Intentional murder – death penalty.

-Accidental murder – put him in a designated location….. perhaps a jail.  Does not say how long…. 

-A premeditated murder – to be put to death 

P: This is the Old Testament position and the rood of many of our present day laws...whether they are still applicable for today... not sure ..... we are in an era of grace through Jesus and everyone can be saved and forgiven even the worst of sinners.  So do the rules of the Old Testament hold true now... not sure.

S: Ex 21: 16 “Anyone who kidnaps another…….put to death.”

O: Kidnapping – death penalty

S: Ex 21:18 If men quarrel and one hits another …..and he does not die but is confined to bed….. he must pay for the injured man for the loss of his time and see that he is completely healed.”

O: So the rule is complete responsibility for compensation until the injured party is restored to health.

Title: Death of an unborn child.

S: Ex 21:22 “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely….. if there is serious injury you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn , wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

O:  Not sure if this means death of the woman or death of the unborn child…. Just says serious injury.

Title:  Rules on Thieves

S: Exodus 22:2 "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.  A  thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for the theft."

O: This is one of the strangest rules that I have read - so if you try and rob someone in the dark of night then you can be killed by your victim and there is no consequence..... however if it is in daylight the person killing the thief is guilty of killing the thief.  So in the dark the victim might not have known what he was doing --- but in the light he did know that he was killing the thief.  Whatever happens the thief must always pay back the victim in full for the victims losses.   So how would this work in real life..... all jails would become workhouses and the prisoners would be assessed a daily wage according to their work and this money would go to the insurance company that had paid out the victim.  When the insurance company was paid out in full..... the prisoner had paid his debt and could go free.  

Title:  The assessed cost of taking a woman's virginity.

S: Ex 22:16 "If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride price, and she shall be his wife.  If her father absolutely refuses to giver her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.  

O: If a man seduces a virgin he must either marry her or pay a large amount of money as a fine for taking her virginity and the amount must be equal been paid for a dowry. What would the world be like if the fine for taking a girl's virginity was either marriage or a fine of $100,000 ... and if you could not pay it you went to jail and worked in a workhouse making widgets that would be sold in the world and when you had made enough widgets to pay off the dowry you could get out.   Think there would be no unwed mothers and no fatherless children.  That would change this country.

Title:  What do we give to God - I have seen many innovative ways to raise money for those in Christian service.  

S: Ex 22: 29-31 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.  You must give me the firstborn of your sons. Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day."

O: Not sure what this means.... yes.. do not hold back as we offer what we have to God but our firstborn sons?   In times past many good Catholics wanted one son of a family to go into the priesthood..... but is this ever mentioned today.... not really in the Protestant church ... should we still think this way that at least one of a family should be in God's service?  I don't think I have heard a sermon in my life about the responsibility of parents to talk to their children about going into God's service.  Perhaps this just means dedicating your children to God on the 8th day... like circumcision but not like giving them over for priests.  Not sure.  Think that when we dedicated our children to God we did not think that it was for a life of full time service, don't think my husband was thinking that anyway.... however give your firstborn, give your cattle means give in these verses.  We are to give our bodies as our reasonable service to God - but as salvation and commitment are individual we cannot give our children as priests or missionaries as they must find that commitment themselves.  We can do everything in our power to lead them on right paths though and here we have failed as we have been too much in this world and they will follow in our footsteps.

P: Change how we follow you so that it affects our offspring for generations to come.

Acts 4 - 

S: Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

O: Today I was talking to my friend at her home gym.  I said I felt bad that I do not proselytize much as a Christian.  She said that she believed she believed in God but that she did not like Christians saying that there is only one way.  I said that I believed we were all built with a craving for God and that there could not be several truths but only one way which was the truth.  We never carried the conversation on further however this North American world is turned off by jargon and conversation and a message about "salvation is found in no one else" is quickly a statement of offense. Peter and John spoke and 5000 men plus women and children were saved within a short time.  There are two things I see.... first of all it is God who nudges each and every person toward God... and secondly this spirit filled passion that Peter and John had is missing .... do I care like they did...... do I have their urgency..... are there any Peters and John's still out there.... 

P: Passion ......

Title:  The secret is being with Jesus

S: Acts 4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

O: What made Peter and John so different  They were fireballs for Jesus.  The thing was that these two men changed.  They became unique.  In today's world people who do not profess any religious faith are outshining Christians in their good works.  The Angelina Jolie's of this world are out there giving and doing with all they have and not selling any religion.  But it is more than becoming a good person or doing good.... it is about finding truth.  There cannot be numerous truths.   Being with Jesus changed these men from the inside and we all have this craving... this inner emptiness and it was the "being with Jesus" that answered that inner craving that could not be satisfied by good works or fuzzy beliefs in this or that.  So many Christians mess up that it gives Christianity a bad name but it is not Christians but Jesus who never changes and is the one who satisfies that hole in the center of us.

P: Guess I am missing things in my Christian walk but I am learning.... it is being with Jesus that will change who I am.  Time with you Lord, please.

Title:  An inability to be quiet should be our condition.

S: Acts 4:20 "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

O: I am quiet about my beliefs as I am so polite that I just hate to offend anyone.  But I am selling good friends short.  Here I am enjoying that inner peace that comes from Jesus and others are suffering.  How selfish I am just so I will not offend anyone.  

P: Lord make me a braver.  Just so Canadian and so polite that really hate to offend anyone.  There are people out there that have an aching hole inside... looking for answers... and I know that it is just "being with Jesus".

Title:  Coming to the same conclusion as Peter and John

S: Acts 4:29 "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out our hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

O: They prayed for both boldness and wonders.  Don't think I have prayed that  very often.  Have prayed for those I love who have been sick and have prayed for miracles and seen them..... but to help others believe..... hmm.

A: Prayer must be a commitment, a diligent ordered time set apart to pray for needs of others and for boldness to share who you are.

P: Lord change my prayer life.

Title:  Communal living was part of the early church.

S: Acts 4:34 "There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

O: Well this definitely is more than mere tithing a tenth of what you have. Guess this is where the idea of communism came from however so far the great experiment has not worked in any society except this one that I know of.  The problem is that it would have to be a perfectly unselfish Christian group of people and that is a rare.  It happened here in the early church and it works in some small Christian communities still - but very unusual.  But the example here is to give all you can....... not just 10 %.  This can only happen with a true change of human nature where you care more about others than what you have.  I know that I have not taught my children that one.

A: Change my thinking about giving.... it is about how much we can give.... not how much we can save or live on or acquire.  This is new thinking.

P: Make this type of thinking come into practice dear Lord.

January 27, 2010, Exodus 17-20, Acts 3

Title: Listening to people who are not always chosen by God to speak.

S: Ex: 18:17 Moses’ father in law replied “What you are doing is not good.”

O: Moses has been listening to God for all his instructions and has obeyed and this obedience has caused plagues, helped him lead the Israelites out of Egypt and helped him create a path through the Red Sea….. now he is listening to someone else.  It seems obvious that Moses is working too hard but should Jethro who has only recently decided to worship God be the one to advise him? The advice seems pretty reasonable – teach others the laws and decrees and select capable men and they will help you manage these people however why is it Jethro that is giving the advice?  He comes to Moses for a short while and then leaves and from henceforth there will be Judges over the Israelites.

 A: Be careful who you take advice from ….. not all people are aware of what God has planned.

P: Discernment.

Title:  The Jews are chosen by God….. Symbolically in a Christian context … those who become Christians now come under this description.

S: Ex 19:5-6  The Jews are the one nation that God calls His “treasured possession”…….you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

O: There is always this “type” as it is called in literature, where God leads these people through great trials so that they will choose to come to Him.  Must we always go through trials before deciding to become a Christian…. Are any saved easily?  Do I appreciate what God has done for me?

A:  I sometimes think that I am not such a bad person…. But how does God see me…. He views me as his treasured possession… a priest and part of a holy people….. how am I living to live up to God’s assessment of me?  Today’s sermon in church was one that said that if you study the Bible and come to church but do not witness to others then your faith is pretty useless.  By the time I walked out I did not feel very good.  Had two of my grandchildren with me as we had another grandchild today so felt excited about that but the sermon was a downer. We all do different things and looking after these kids and being a good wife, mother and grandmother really takes so much of my energy… like all of it… pretty exhausted from this work however is it the work that I am to be doing as a chosen priest and holy person of God? Yes, who else would get up with a 2 year old in the middle of the night and truly love this little one as much as I do.... not one other person I know.... Sorry pastor .... this is God's work too and this little one will be a vibrant Christian one day because I cared.  We are not all Peter and preaching on a corner ... but obedience is the what God calls us to and obedience it must be.

P:  Direction Lord, direction.

Title: Making idle promises to God.

S: Ex 19:8 “The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.”

O: The pharaoh promised to repent and follow God but he didn’t, the Israelites promise to obey God but they forget to do so….. how often have I promised God I would serve him and yet I have not…. What did that verse say – better to say I am not going to do it then do it then to say I will and not do it….

A: Oh this Bible reading is so convicting….. you can be happy about your life and then read the Bible and feel that you really are not obeying God at all…. I thought that serving was just blossoming where God planted me as this mother and grandmother… but I go back and forth.... is it really enough or does God want more?  I know that He really does not need me for anything as He can call ten thousand Angels however .... use me Lord ... is all I mean.

P: Wisdom, discernment, clear answers, God you know our path… could you be more clear.

Title:  Mount Sinai

S: Ex 19:18 “Mount Sinai was covered in smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire.  The smoke billowed up it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”

O: Was once near an erupting volcanic mountain in Guatemala….. I wonder if this was like a volcano – but if it was the people would have to get out of there as there would be too much heat …. And it seems they could remain…. Just a God phenomenon I guess….but there were limits on how close they could come…. It is a mystery.

 

Exodus 20: The ten commandments

S: Ex 20:5 ….. punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation  of those who hate me but showing love to thousands who love me and keep my commandments.”

O: Still hear this verse quoted and yet… does not salvation remove the guilt in one generation…. And so this verse should not be quoted as it is no longer true.

A: Salvation redeems in one generation and the next generation of the God changed parents are no longer under this curse as far as I think.

P: I observe others and sometimes I am judgmental when I see the terrible things that fall on their lives but perhaps it is not some passed down curse but just living in this fallen world…. And it could fall on the just and the unjust.  Should watch my judgmental ways.

P: Guard my swiftness to judge others oh Lord.

Title:  How are we suppose to treat the 10 commandments now that we are under grace and not under the law?

S: Ex 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”

O: I know that we cannot keep the law and that we are not suppose to as that is why Jesus paid the price for our salvation…. However there are so many rules besides the 10 commandments that I personally feel that I really should follow…. Am I wrong…. Yes I am wrong. I like to go to church however sometimes it feels like a tight club where you really are an outsider.  To become an insider you have to attend a lot more things than I do.  Really it is not an insider that I have any concern about what I want is to serve God and to do that it is important to become involved in the church as that is the way God structures service… within a group of believers.

A: Would like to aim for twice on Sunday but always someone needs me… here it is Sunday night and I am babysitting as son and daughter in law at hospital and right now little 2 year old has been coughing and I am up with her late…. Don’t think anyone else could do this task…. No it is not witnessing but it is still service and no way to go to evening service.  Perhaps another day.  Will aim for it.

P: Somehow I am sure this is where God wants me to be but only God and I know that. 

Title:  To covet is the sin of this day and age.

S: Ex 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbors house.”

O: This is an age of Home and Garden television.  I am not that house proud and I feel guilty for not being house proud.  What is the balance between coveting our neighbors house and watching others and how it is done and making your own space pleasant… I have no idea.  I think it is when it becomes your passion and what you think about other than God.  Isn’t the measurement of the other God as whatever separates us from God – so it can be house or anything else that we pursue with all we have and think about more than anything else.

A:  What am I thinking about?  It should be about your business.  If it is not … then that is the issue.

P: Right thinking.

 

Acts 3

Title:  At the time of prayer.

S: Acts 3:1 “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer --- at three in the afternoon.”

O: The Jews had set times for prayer, the Muslims have set times for prayer.  We are to pray without ceasing… like as often as we remember… the problem is that we are so busy with living our lives that we do not remember to pray without ceasing and those with set times of prayer probably pray more than I do. So should we have set times of prayer or does that become salvation by works?  Anway just thinking that although would not like to see any rule made on it …. Personal commitment to set times of prayer during the day may be a good idea.

A: Set some personal times that I know that this is prayer time.

P: Help me to increase my prayer time Lord.

Title:  Times of refreshing

S:  Acts: 3:19 “Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you…even Jesus.”

O: Times of refreshing – is this time with God in my Bible times of refreshing or what is this times of refreshing? Whatever it is… would like some.

A: Looking forward to more…. Times of refreshing.

P: Mercy drops round us are falling but for the showers I plead.

 

Just saw something written in pencil in my Bible that my son that I am babysitting for tonight would find a Christian wife when traveling…. Well he came home and found a wonderful Christian wife… love leaving those notes in my Bible… they always bless me when I come across them and know that God answered that prayer.

 

 

January 26, 2010, Exodus 14-16, Acts 2

Title: Pharaoh repents and prays so many times - but then he just can't give up all the wonderful toys that his slaves provide him.

S: Ex 14:5  "Pharaoh and his officials changed their mind about them and said, "What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!"

O: Ah, those comforts that we so love and that others provide for us..... can we give them up.... that is the question... that top of the line T.V.  - that better car...  they take time and workers to acquire.... repentance and commitment to God is okay - but if it takes away those comforts - well all those things I thought about doing while sitting in the church pew --- just like the pharaoh.... how different am I?... commitment means living differently.

A: I am up early again with my Bible again- that is a 2 days in a row - but like pharaoh there are so many things I go back on.... good thing God is not finished with me yet.... the next goal is church ... to become involved... to be part of a place.... after several years of going to the same place.... went to a ladies tea and I was the new person..... most there had never seen me sitting in church..... guess I have not become very involved but that must change.

P: Involvement and service with others at church. Can't be like Pharaoh and just say I will repent and change and then change my mind the next day....

Title:  Here is Pharaoh with all his wealth and his fancy chariots and he is in pursuit of  a bunch of slaves on foot who just want church together....... all because his affluent lifestyle may take a step down. 

S: Ex 14:7-8 "He took six hundred of the best chariots along with all the other chariots of Egypt......so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly..."

O: Here is this rag a tag group with their cloaks pulled up and stuck in there belts so they can walk faster -  what do they want - church - just to worship together - that is it -  and what they had to do to get to church - beg and plead and finally run for it.... and here is the king of Egypt... the Pharaoh who has repented so many times and admitted he was a sinner and promised to let the Israelites go.... but he just can't give up his lifestyle.... what a contrast... the two types of worshiper the wishy washy Christian who says he repents and  that he is a sinner and asks for prayer time and time again and then -------on the other side are these Israelites.... who "march out boldly" and what is their passion.... why are they risking everything....... church..... they want to worship God together.... do they ever impress me.... hmm the Pharaoh must have thought he could bring them back as only one of his best chariots for every 1000 men..... that is a confident Pharaoh.

A: How passionate am I about worshiping together..... will I beg and plan and then march out boldly with a few worldly possessions leaving all behind because I want to worship.... not at all.... that will have to change... this is why this is called A for the Application part of the Bible Study -- the application is the actual change that I make that comes from what I observe in this Bible.... 

P: Change and change today.

Title:  When you step out for God there is apprehension and fear that we have done something too radical, that we have made a mistake.. but God is faithful.

S: Ex 14:12-14 "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Moses answered the people "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only stand still."

O: What - all this worry and fear that these things that need to be accomplished will be too difficult and what does God say --- just stand still - The fact of the matter is that they did run into the Red Sea -  something they could not cross and the Pharaoh and his army were in in hot pursuit.   The could not believe God would do it - I have sympathy with them as many times I do not believe that I will ever get the one thing that I have prayed for - why oh why is that so difficult for me to believe --- but there it is  ---- just stand still - stop with that anxiety of how God is going to pull it off -- He just will --- this is nothing for Him --- He can do it...I have to just march out boldly and then just stand still and wait for God to take over.  Chariots and armies coming at full speed are nothing.......

A:  What it takes is faith.  When it looks impossible that is when we are to just have faith and let God handle it because he is the only one who can.  What can I do with this feeble body and a cloak and sandals ....... I have to keep this picture in my mind.... no wonder God wanted the Israelites to remember it....  I will go... my daughter will go... my husband will go.. it is not impossible.

P: Lord keep the vision alive of marching boldly out.... cannot get fearful and think about Egypt.

Title: It is at night that God drives the sea back for us to walk easily through on dry ground.

S:Ex 14:21 " Then Moses  stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. ..... and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground.."

O: Moses held up his hand with that very special staff that now has done so many miracles and he held it up all night.  I wonder if the people were watching him and wondering if he was crazy .... they have gone south and the wrong direction and now they are stopped by the Red Sea and their leaders stands beside the water all night with his hands up.

A: The solution may not always be obvious.  It may look strange to others and not something that can be explained.

P: When the answer looks ridiculous - don't flinch - God has figured it out and will bring it to pass.

Title: So - because the Jews were safe on the dry land - the Egyptians for running toward the dry land in the Red sea????

S: Ex 14:27 "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place.  The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea."

O: Well if the Israelites had faith and followed Moses into a path through the Red Sea that is one thing --- that the Egyptians flee toward the Red sea - makes no sense except that they were following leaders that would not turn back - because they were under orders or because they were sure they could capture the Israelites or why - but to willingly go into a river -- very odd.

A: Greed does things to people..... think it is true there are only two gods - God and  money.

P: To have faith to follow God's leading - even if it looks impossible - and also to have the discernment to realize if greed and gain is pushing me into something that will lead to destruction and ultimate death.

Title:  The song of Moses - when God doer. ...es us good - how important to praise God.  Miriam took a tambourine in her hand and all the women joined her with tambourines and danced.  Have not seen that in church for a while...... wish it happened.

Title:  From dancing and praise to a pity party in 3 days.

S: Ex 15:23-24 "When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter.....So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, What are we to drink?"

O: How quickly from the mountain tops to the valleys - I have done it.... how can I be critical of these people who are just like the rest of us and forget very quickly what God has done.

P: I must hold my tongue and not complain.... it is so easy to do.

Note:  Manna - still in desert today - tree sap from tamarisk tree - sweet tasting - on desert - each day.... omar is about 4 litres. They ate manna for 40 years.

Acts 2

Acts 2 is controversial but here goes.

S: Acts 2:1  "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place."

O: On this occasion it was a particular event in history .... a specific day.

A: Is it for every service or just for this moment in time in history - here it is a particular day however other scripture has further information.

S: Acts 2 : 4  "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

O: Is speaking in tongues for every Christian - well in this instance all of them spoke in tongues.

Title:  The debate is that this was for this particular occasion and it was for the purpose of spreading the gospel in everyone's own language.

S: Acts 2:6 "When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.|"

O: Any speaking in tongues that I have heard is not in a language that anyone in the room knows.  So was this particular day a unique event in history - if I read this literally and do not put any preconceived ideas on it - it seems to be.  Think there may be two kinds of speaking in tongues - this one time event and the unutterable groaning that is also a speaking in tongues prayer meant for God.  So - maybe two kinds ..... not sure what I mean  about this.....

Title:  Peter's explanation of the Day of Pentecost.

S: Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people"

O: Does this mean speaking in tongues - well it says prophecy, dreams, wonders and signs and salvation - so think that tongues is probably not an impossibility either.

S: Acts 2: 37  "When the people heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins might be forgiven, And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.",38

O: Wow - when the Holy Spirit comes and then Peter preaches - there is a great change in his effectiveness ... people want to get saved....and they ask how ..... this is what a holy spirit filled Christian is like - "he cuts to the heart".

A: This lukewarm Christianity is not worth doing..... no wonder the results are not happening...... 

P: God help me to change.

Title:  Results

S: Acts 2:41 "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."

O: Peter - what an example...... can anyone so similar..... yes anyone if they are full of the Holy Spirit and get out there and preach.

P: Cravings - more, Lord, more.

Title:  So how often were they in church - everyday.

S: Acts 2:46 "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts."

O: None of this one hour on Sunday - everyday they met together.

A: They ate together, prayed together, what a church.... and 

Acts 2:47 "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

January 25, 2010, Exodus 12 & 13,Psalm 21, Acts 1

Praise: Answered prayer - woke at 5:00 a.m. and am here with Bible. In the middle east the sound of the call to prayer is at 5:00 a.m. and I think  they are right on that.  Still took me time to put feet out of bed however - have been praying that I could get up early and do my Bible study and this is a first.  This will happen again.  

Title:  The Passover

S: Ex 12:2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year."

O: It is 2010 this year - we date the world as starting with Christ - here the first born of every creature in Egypt is going to die from the Pharaoh's son to the slave's son and even the first born of animals..... however the Israelites are take a perfect lamb to be sacrificed..... just like we date the world from the time of Christ the Jews are to date their world from the time of this Passover - instead of the year beginning in September as it had in the past it would start in mid March - spring..... In Roman times it was the the Festival of Mars, no the Bible does not copy the festival the festival copies Moses decree...  Funny it says from the 14th day of the month until the 21st day of the month ...  Ex 12:18 and yet present day Jews go by the moon and it could go from very end of March until April. 

A: This passover is something monumental - a symbol of the coming perfect lamb that is to be slain and a time when the world starts over again with a new calendar.... New life in Christ foreshadowed..... How seriously do I view this new life that I have... do I live as though it was the same life as ever - ever renewing - or as Psalm 51:10 says  "renew a right spirit within me"...... that is what the Passover and the new year must mean.... that we are starting - as though it is a fresh start to the year.... fresh and new with Christ.

P: Thank you Lord for new learning - for getting me up early - for understanding that the passover starts with a brand new year - and that Christ renewing our spirit means that this is a new beginning too.... each day with Christ is like a new beginning as you give us Lord so many chances to start again and learn and do.... thank you Lord. 

Title:  Ready to go.

S: Ex 12:11 "This is how you are to it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord's Passover." 

O: Because of Christ we are to be ready to go be ready to go, at a moments notice away from this Egypt and to wherever God sends us.  

A: I really have never read this verse that way before - another new bit of learning - so many things to change - especially all this accumulation of stuff.

P: The accumulation of 6 kids, and grandchildren - so much stuff - help me to downsize oh Lord.

Note: In he procession that went into the desert with Moses there were about 600,000 men on foot plus women and children and other people.... what other people..... slaves - some other races that became married to or involved in some way with the Israelites.

S:  Ex 13:1 "Consecrate to me every firstborn male."

O: I don't know of anyone who dedicates their first born male to Christian service - maybe some strong Catholics have a first son go into the priesthood but not common now..... think this must be just for old testament and not for now.  Do Jews still do this???

A: Don't think this applies now.

Acts 1 -

Sequence of events:

1. Jesus shows himself to many for 40 days,  2.  Jesus promises them that they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost  3.  Jesus goes up from them - in a cloud   4. two angels appear.  5. they go to upper room along with women, the mother of Jesus and Jesus brothers.  about 120 people.  6. Peter speaks and says they should replace Judas , after prayer they choose Matthias

January 24, 2010, Exodus 9-11, Luke 24

 Title:  The pharaoh almost believes because he is afraid of what God is doing to his land .... but when things improve his shallow believe fades.

S: Ex 9:27  Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, "This time I have sinned," he said to them, "The Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.  Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough......"

O: Pharaoh - like most of us -- only repents and pleads and wants to pray when he can take no more --- but as soon as things improve --- he is back to his old ways and forgets God ----- 

A: When you look at pharaoh - it looks obvious that he only calls on God when things get bad -  but I am sure I am not that bad --- but perhatps I really do not look at myself with honesty - when do I call on God with great desperation - only when we are in a desperate situation --- otherwise the prayers are more methodical - not those passionate prayers that I read in the psalms.....

P: Prayer - I know I have very little idea of what the true depth of this should be but I do want to know.

Note: How odd it seems to me that it is God who makes the Pharaoh hold back the Israelites from leaving Egypt and God's reasoning -  that they will have something to tell their grandchildren so they will understand what God.

Luke 24

Title:  The women are first to understand who Jesus is and what he meant when he said he would rise again.

S:Luke 24 :1,6,7,8 "...the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.......He is not here he has risen! Remember how he told you.....The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." Then they remembered his words.

O: I wonder if women are more spiritual then men..... the great evangelists of the world are always men.... but a woman was the first missionary.... women found out about Christ being risen from the dead first.... why not men....  The women understand - He has risen - and yet Peter when he sees the empty tomb - "wonders to himself what had happened."

A: Women are treated very differently by Christ - there is an equality that is common in this day and age and yet very uncommon during this period of time in the middle eastern culture.  I  love this about Christianity - I think we underestimate what God can do through us..... there are a few verses in the Bible that seem arbitrary on this topic -  but the evidence of how Jesus treated women is a pretty clear demonstration of his high regard for their capability and status.

P: Help me remember what you think of me.

Title:  Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

S: Luke 24:31  "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight."

O:  Here are these two men talking about Jesus and how they had hoped that he would be the Christ and how they had heard that the women had said that he had risen and yet they do not recognize Jesus until Jesus wants to reveal himself to them.  This is how it is with everyone I think --- the revelation is when we do what these two people did - they walk with him, talk with him - walking for miles - then they say - stay with us tonight - eat with us tonight - and it is as they eat with Him that they recognize Him...... what if that is what we did - walk with Him, talk, eat, sleep --- what revelations would there be????

A: What a good example of how to relate to those that are not there yet but seeking God...... lives that involve others and Christ.

P: A hospitable nature and Christ in every aspect of the day.

Title:  The resurrected Christ eats bread and fish..... and they believe.

S: L:uke 24:41 And they still did not believe it.......he asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?"  and he took it and ate it in their presence."

O: What is it about eating together that breaks down barriers..... the men on the Emmaus road did not recognize Christ until he sat down to eat with them and broke the bread..... the disciples saw the scars on his body but it was real to them when he began to eat.... there is something about eating together that sets us at ease and helps us get over barriers..... if this is how Jesus did it then this is how we should do it too......

P: Hospitality...... that leads to you. Please.

Title:  Only 2 things to preach - repentance and forgiveness.

S: Luke 24:47 ... and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

O: We seem to make salvation too complicated --- there it is very simply - repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus......how straight forward and clear.

A: I worry too much about methodology - the above is very understandable and it is what human nature needs to get on with life - why do we make salvation more complicated than it needs to be???

P: Help me to be ready and willing to share this simple message.

Title:  Stay until the power comes.

S: Luke 24:40  ....."but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high"

O: How crucial to doing God's work ...... stay until the power comes..... what great advice from Jesus .... don' run off doing things until the power comes.

P: oh for that power Lord.

Title:  More time in church.

S:Luke 24:53 And they stayed continually at the temple praising God.

O: Well have a lot to learn and thank you God this book is teaching me.... that Sunday morning service is not what what you meant when you say continually.  The early church changed the world..... and they were at the temple continually.

A: Time to change my ways ---- a little more continually and a little less of everything else......

P: Lord help me to change this aspect of my life.