S – Scripture O – Observation A – Application P – Prayer
Title: Ignorance of the Law is no excuse
S: Lev. 4:27 “If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty.”
O: There are so many laws that have acts that have gone from illegal to legal in my lifetime that the majority of people now believe that these acts are now no longer wrong to do. Laws on abortion, homosexuality, common law marriage, laws of legal age of consent (in Canada 14 and sometimes 12) – all this has changed in my lifetime. So, most people go by the present laws and feel innocent of any wrong doing --- but the Bible says if people commit sins and are unaware of their sins – they are still guilty.
A: So what is my responsibility to others? I believe that all sin is sin….. – and that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) and so we are all condemned for our sins – whether big or small and our only answer is Jesus – who paid the price of guilt for us so that we are presented perfect to God. Do I have to keep telling others that this or that is a sin just because they no longer know --- well yes and no – telling a person that something is wrong will make him aware and he or she has choice, however judging them for their sin is something God will do --- they will know what is right and what is wrong when they come to Christ. I was listening to a lady who said she never paid the penny for the use of the toilet (she was English) – but on the day she was saved she knew that it was not right to cheat and have someone hold the door so she didn’t have to pay – for the first time in her life – she ‘spent a penny’ for the toilet. When we become Christians we have a new awareness of what is right and what is wrong.
P: If Jesus said – “Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do” as his last words – what should my attitude be to those who live in sin – the only unforgivable sin is rejecting the Holy Spirits urging to accept Jesus. So help me to Lord to both be aware of my sins and to share the way of knowing you with others – helping others with awareness is okay but I must leave judgments with you.
Title: Guilt by silence
S: Lev. 5:1 “If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.”
O: We must defend the innocent whenever we can. It is not good enough just to live a good life as a Christian… it is our responsibility to defend injustice. What this really means is that not speaking up when wrong is being done makes me guilty. I was once very vocal poliTtically for the unborn, for other causes but it is hard work and mentally exhausting…. So now I am quiet. I am wrong… there are many that suffer under injustice …. I am guilty of silence for sure.
A: I do not have to be on the podium as a grandmother defending injustice… but I do have to say something when I see it…. Silence is not an option.
P: To speak up whenever it is right to do so.
Title: What percent did the old testament call for.
S: Lev. 5:16 “… add a fifth of the value to that and give it all to the priest.”
O: So here it was 20% and not a tithe…. I do not believe that we are to tithe in this day and age as the new testament says that we are to give as God prospers us and to give as our hearts tell us so that could be any amount…. Those who have more are to give more.
A: Giving is a heart thing but the 10% or 20% is what the old testament did … not for now.
P: To give.
Title: The rule of finding something that was Lost – return it and tell the truth about it.
S: Lev. 6:2 “…. Or if he finds lost property and lies about it….
O: What is the saying … ‘finders keepers, losers weepers’…. Not so the Bible even has instruction on this . If we find something we tell the truth about it…. I assume do whatever is possible to let others know and to find the owner…. Because you found it does not make it yours.
Title: So this is where the Mormons get the idea of linen underwear.
S: Lev. 6:10 “The priest shall then put on his linen clothes, with linen undergarments next to his body……”
O: So – we are not under the law… we are under grace through Jesus so all these rules of what priests should wear are not applicable… however the practical comments about defending injustice seems reasonable and good advice to still hold to. The issue is that we cannot keep this law no matter how we try… not that defending injustice is wrong… just that we cannot do any of this law well enough that is why there had to be the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
A: Ritual – like holy Mormon underwear – is an example of rejecting the perfect sacrifice of Christ. What rituals do I hold to… probably many that I am not even aware of and I should make an effort to recognize whether something is just a ritual within my faith or it is heartfelt love in action.
P: To be aware of my action…. if I am just going through the motions… similar to the rituals of those who attempt to live under the law.
Acts 14
Title: Effective and ineffective preaching
S: Acts 14:1 “…..There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.”
O: So is there effective and therefore ineffective preaching? I always thought that the word “shall not return unto me void”(Isa 55:11) but here there is a comparison… so effectively… What I must assume is that when God’s word goes out there are always results but in this case the results were huge. What I wonder is whether the effectiveness is due to man or God? I think that it is due to God as another verse says that God gives the increase (1 Cor 3:7) so the prayer, fasting and commitment are up to us but the actual results are always up to God however if we are truly close to God there will be effectiveness as God is working through us.
A: Our task is to read, pray, fast, share the word and what happens is up to God however there will most likely be more effectiveness if we are walking close to God and what others see and hear is God rather than us.
P: Commitment. ?
Title: Are miraculous signs and wonders a confirmation of the message?
S: Acts 14:3 “So Paul and Barnabas send considerable time there speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.”
O: So – if signs and wonders are a confirmation of the message – is the lack of such evidences a proof that the message is not right? I am not sure. First of all not sure that all signs and wonders are of the making the blind see variety. I am thinking that saved souls that result in changed lives are equally to be considered a wonder… however if there is rarely a person who is saved soul or a healing…. Then I think that is a place where the true word is not being preached.
A: Watch for people being saved and people being healed…. If it never happens than I am not in the right place.
P: To be aware and never deceived by a “form of godliness but denying the power (2 Tim. 3:5)
Title: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
S: Acts 14:5 “There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews , together with their leaders to mistreat them and stone them.”
O: It is easy to find out who is an enemy to God when you see who aligns themselves together to oppose the preaching of his word..
Title: Can faith be seen?
S: Acts 14:9 “Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed.”
O: Can a discerning Christian have this awareness? Can we look at a person and know that there is faith? If this is true then it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. I don’t know if I know anyone like this but think it is an important gift for a preacher.
A: Look for discerning ministers of the word.
P: Pray that our overseers will have this gift of discernment.
Title: Paul and Barnabas go from super heroes to people that they want to kill.
S: Acts 14: 12 & 19 “Barnabas they called Zeus and Paul they called Hermes….(14:12).. “they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead..(14:19)
O: Never change the gospel in order to please others…. Although we might be popular for the moment… in an instant this popularity can change to hate…. Just serve God as the word says.s
A: Act, speak and live with integrity… and never to please.
P: To speak up – no matter the consequences.
Title: Is there a contradiction here – it seems that the following verse speaks of a works rather than a grace salvation?
S: Acts 14:22 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
O: I often think that verses are just a statement of fact that Christians will endure hardships for Christ’s name… but here this seems to indicate conditions in order to enter the kingdom. What about “by grace are you saved through faith and not of yourselves” (Eph 2:8) Not sure why this verse about going through hardships in order to enter the kingdom is here.
P: Understanding of this Book
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
February 6, 2010, Leviticus 1-3, Acts 13
Feb. 6, 2010, Leviticus 1-3, Acts 13
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.
Title: These are the rules and procedures on how to make offerings to God.
S: Lev. 2:10 “The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;
It is a most holy part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire.”
O: This section goes through the different types of offerings that are made as sacrifices to God – grain offerings, animal offerings, etc. It is interesting that the ministers are not paid first but get what is left over – and yet it is the most holy part of the offering… but still the rest of what is left. Seems odd and disrespectful that those who are the ministers should get what is left over but perhaps it is like the feeding of the 5000 – there should always be more than enough left over if God is honored.
Title: Jesus the perfect sacrifice.
S: Lev. 3:1 “…….he is to present before the Lord an animal without defect..
O: We can never earn our salvation through good works and the sacrifice of deeds is just a love gift. So often we forget that are doing, doing is not for spiritual reward or to earn anything. God can do it all without our effort but he allows us to serve Him …. It is a privilege to serve – but not a need for God.
A: Always know that Jesus, the perfect gift, has made the sacrifice and all we have to do is accept it. Never feel inadequate because I think I should be doing more, or that others think I should be doing more….. I am to do everything as a gift to God and if He enables me to do more He will.
P: Thanks for doing what you did Jesus.
Title: Is God like the angels and neither male or female?
S: Leviticus 3:6 “….he is to offer a male or female without defect”
O: It is not always a male animal that was used in the offering. If these offerings are symbols of the offering of Christ who is to be the final and perfect sacrifice – how strange that either male or female is to be offered. I really don’t have an answer except that in Genesis God created man in His own image “male and female” created he them – and so my imagination of God is very inadequate – He is more than my limited construct of a God with a nice male face …. He is much more that this and I really cannot imagine His form adequately. He is a Spirit and we must worship Him with our spirits. (John 4:24)
A: Stop limiting my perspective of God.
P: That my understanding of God would grow.
Title: Don’t eat fat or blood???
S: Leviticus 3:17 “……you must not eat any fat or any blood.”
O: This is where some of the rituals for meat comes into the Jewish customs I guess and also the Jehovah Witness church rejects blood transfusions because of this verse – but it seems like this is the ritual for the sacrificed animals that they were bled and they were roasted so both blood and fat removed. This whole chapter is about how the priests were to prepare the sacrifices …. This not about our daily eating???? And since Christ is the sacrifice that ended such rituals…. Not for this day and age.
Title: Missionary workers are sent out by the church.
S Acts 13:3 “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
O: So often in this day and age you can sign up for a Christian service endeavor and just go…. Not sure how many places are doing the fast, pray, lay hands on and send out.
A: To ask for this before any endeavor.
P: For such a sending out for those in service, my daughter, others….
Title: The boss believes but the servant rejects Jesus.
S: Acts 13:12 “When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”
O: Sergius Paulus is the proconsul of the Island of Cyprus and he believes but his attendant, Elymas, was a Jewish sorcerer who tried to convince his boss not to believe.
A: When someone finds the truth it is often the case that the vultures come out to try and dissuade the new convert from the path of finding God…. This is when the new Christian needs help to hold fast and to not allow these detractors to do their work. This is the reason for not merely sharing Christ and helping someone become a Christian but also there is the responsibility of nurturing the new convert.
P: To care for new Christians.
Title: The religious people listened every Sabbath about the coming of Jesus – but didn’t get it.
S: Acts 13:27 “The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.”
O: How different am I? I hear the word of God every Sunday – but do I get it? Does it change me? Am I just like these people of Jerusalem and not understanding what I should do about this Jesus? How is my Christianity changing how I live my life? I would like to be different than these people of Jerusalem but what are my real actions…..
A: To move my feet.. and do something about my faith.
P: Help me to get on with it.
Title: This is from Isaiah said that “the Light” to the Gentiles would come through a Jew.
S: Acts 13:47 “For this is what the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
O: This verse in the Greek the ‘you’ is singular…. Meaning a person… a light…. Jesus. This is from Isaiah 49:6 -- it would be a Jew that would bring salvation to the earth. Even today these passages are sung by a cantor in the synagogues and yet…. They are still waiting…. Just like Jesus time…. Hearing these words every Sabbath but not getting it.
A: We still have ears that do not hear…
P: To have ears that both hear and then feet that act.
Title: Women can be used to subvert the progress of the church.
S: Acts 13:50 “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city.”
O: The whole city was coming to the synagogue to hear the gospel and these jealous Jews knew how hold back this blessing coming upon this place… they would talk to the women who were God-fearing in their synagogue first – and the men would listen. Oh how important that women know the word---that we are not turned off course due to our lack of Biblical knowledge. If there is something very wrong in the church by all means we must speak however these women did not know the scriptures and their lack of knowledge was manipulated by others. Many cults seem to have a large following of women. Our emotions are out there… sometimes to our detriment.
A: To be careful not to speak against those who are doing what God wants them to do and never participate in gossip. To have an answer for the faith we believe in. (1 Peter 3:15)
P: A wise tongue.
S: Acts 13 51 “And they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.”
O: Does this mean that if people reject Christ we should just give up on them and move on? There are missionaries out there that have labored for all of their lives and have had very few converts but still soldier on. I am not sure if I understand this verse.
A: Need some help on understanding this verse.
P: Understanding of this scripture.
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.
Title: These are the rules and procedures on how to make offerings to God.
S: Lev. 2:10 “The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons;
It is a most holy part of the offerings made to the Lord by fire.”
O: This section goes through the different types of offerings that are made as sacrifices to God – grain offerings, animal offerings, etc. It is interesting that the ministers are not paid first but get what is left over – and yet it is the most holy part of the offering… but still the rest of what is left. Seems odd and disrespectful that those who are the ministers should get what is left over but perhaps it is like the feeding of the 5000 – there should always be more than enough left over if God is honored.
Title: Jesus the perfect sacrifice.
S: Lev. 3:1 “…….he is to present before the Lord an animal without defect..
O: We can never earn our salvation through good works and the sacrifice of deeds is just a love gift. So often we forget that are doing, doing is not for spiritual reward or to earn anything. God can do it all without our effort but he allows us to serve Him …. It is a privilege to serve – but not a need for God.
A: Always know that Jesus, the perfect gift, has made the sacrifice and all we have to do is accept it. Never feel inadequate because I think I should be doing more, or that others think I should be doing more….. I am to do everything as a gift to God and if He enables me to do more He will.
P: Thanks for doing what you did Jesus.
Title: Is God like the angels and neither male or female?
S: Leviticus 3:6 “….he is to offer a male or female without defect”
O: It is not always a male animal that was used in the offering. If these offerings are symbols of the offering of Christ who is to be the final and perfect sacrifice – how strange that either male or female is to be offered. I really don’t have an answer except that in Genesis God created man in His own image “male and female” created he them – and so my imagination of God is very inadequate – He is more than my limited construct of a God with a nice male face …. He is much more that this and I really cannot imagine His form adequately. He is a Spirit and we must worship Him with our spirits. (John 4:24)
A: Stop limiting my perspective of God.
P: That my understanding of God would grow.
Title: Don’t eat fat or blood???
S: Leviticus 3:17 “……you must not eat any fat or any blood.”
O: This is where some of the rituals for meat comes into the Jewish customs I guess and also the Jehovah Witness church rejects blood transfusions because of this verse – but it seems like this is the ritual for the sacrificed animals that they were bled and they were roasted so both blood and fat removed. This whole chapter is about how the priests were to prepare the sacrifices …. This not about our daily eating???? And since Christ is the sacrifice that ended such rituals…. Not for this day and age.
Title: Missionary workers are sent out by the church.
S Acts 13:3 “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
O: So often in this day and age you can sign up for a Christian service endeavor and just go…. Not sure how many places are doing the fast, pray, lay hands on and send out.
A: To ask for this before any endeavor.
P: For such a sending out for those in service, my daughter, others….
Title: The boss believes but the servant rejects Jesus.
S: Acts 13:12 “When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”
O: Sergius Paulus is the proconsul of the Island of Cyprus and he believes but his attendant, Elymas, was a Jewish sorcerer who tried to convince his boss not to believe.
A: When someone finds the truth it is often the case that the vultures come out to try and dissuade the new convert from the path of finding God…. This is when the new Christian needs help to hold fast and to not allow these detractors to do their work. This is the reason for not merely sharing Christ and helping someone become a Christian but also there is the responsibility of nurturing the new convert.
P: To care for new Christians.
Title: The religious people listened every Sabbath about the coming of Jesus – but didn’t get it.
S: Acts 13:27 “The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.”
O: How different am I? I hear the word of God every Sunday – but do I get it? Does it change me? Am I just like these people of Jerusalem and not understanding what I should do about this Jesus? How is my Christianity changing how I live my life? I would like to be different than these people of Jerusalem but what are my real actions…..
A: To move my feet.. and do something about my faith.
P: Help me to get on with it.
Title: This is from Isaiah said that “the Light” to the Gentiles would come through a Jew.
S: Acts 13:47 “For this is what the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
O: This verse in the Greek the ‘you’ is singular…. Meaning a person… a light…. Jesus. This is from Isaiah 49:6 -- it would be a Jew that would bring salvation to the earth. Even today these passages are sung by a cantor in the synagogues and yet…. They are still waiting…. Just like Jesus time…. Hearing these words every Sabbath but not getting it.
A: We still have ears that do not hear…
P: To have ears that both hear and then feet that act.
Title: Women can be used to subvert the progress of the church.
S: Acts 13:50 “But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city.”
O: The whole city was coming to the synagogue to hear the gospel and these jealous Jews knew how hold back this blessing coming upon this place… they would talk to the women who were God-fearing in their synagogue first – and the men would listen. Oh how important that women know the word---that we are not turned off course due to our lack of Biblical knowledge. If there is something very wrong in the church by all means we must speak however these women did not know the scriptures and their lack of knowledge was manipulated by others. Many cults seem to have a large following of women. Our emotions are out there… sometimes to our detriment.
A: To be careful not to speak against those who are doing what God wants them to do and never participate in gossip. To have an answer for the faith we believe in. (1 Peter 3:15)
P: A wise tongue.
S: Acts 13 51 “And they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.”
O: Does this mean that if people reject Christ we should just give up on them and move on? There are missionaries out there that have labored for all of their lives and have had very few converts but still soldier on. I am not sure if I understand this verse.
A: Need some help on understanding this verse.
P: Understanding of this scripture.
Monday, March 15, 2010
February 5, 2010, Exodus 39 & 40, Psalm 15, Acts 12
Exodus 39
The priestly garments.
The colors are always blue, purple and scarlet. They are the clothes that the priests are to serve the people in when they approach God. The description of each piece is symbolic of Christ – the great high priests who intercedes for us…. With each piece the breastpiece over his heart… as we are …. The covering on his head .. the turban… we are His workmanship… made by a craftsman and carried daily by Christ.
S: Exodus 39:36 “the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence, the pure
Gold lampstand and its row of lamps and all its accessories and the oil for the light;, the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent….
O: The Bread of the Presence apparently means the bread that is set out in the presence of God…. What it foreshadows is Jesus, the bread that will be broken for us…. The golden lampstand – Jesus as the “light of the world”… the oil – as the Holy Spirit – the curtain that would be split in two when Christ dies and resurrects… the fragrant incense to remind us of his birth, and his death.
A: Before the world began God was - I really do not understand the trinity but I do understand that God came in a human form for a period of time, and that the attributes of God were to be put in the human form of Jesus for us to know him in a way that we could understand.
P: Lord help me understand how to explain the three aspects of the nature that you display. That you are from the beginning of time and foretold in the ancient writings of the old testament and that you are not a separate person God but a form of our One God.
Exodus 40 – Setting up he tabernacle.to wash t
S: Ex 40:2 “Set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month. Place the ark of the Testimony in it ….:
O: They had been away from Egypt about a year – some commentaries say 2 weeks less than a year…. And it took a day to set up the tabernacle and this would be the first month which to the Jews is Nisan which is between March and April. So about now…. The setting up of the Tabernacle….. now the Passover celebration --- this year March 15, 2010.
A: So many correlations --- with the sacrifice of the perfect lamb…. Salvation day.
P: To remember what a great gift salvation is to me and to my family and to all to find this gift… why am I so quiet about it. Must change.
S: Exodus 40:9 “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it….”
O: They did not just anoint people but also things. Interesting.
A: Not sure – what about dedication of our possessions to God…?
P: ??
S: Ex 40:30-32 “He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
O: The ceremonial cleansing before approaching God. Now we are washed by Jesus through salvation and do not have to do this before approaching God however remembering what God did for us before approaching him in prayer might be a good way to prepare before praying or worshiping.
A: Do not just read this book, but think about what it all means, a little more diligence when approaching God.
P: To be more in awe when approaching God.
Psalm 15
S: Psalm 15:1 “Lord who may dwell in your sanctuary?”
O: This chapter talks about the blameless and righteous man who may dwell in God’s sanctuary and “will never be shaken”. The problem is that “there is no man righteous, no not one” and so it really means the person who has been sanctified by God and he only way this happens is to be saved… cleansed through the washing of Jesus. So the only ones who may dwell in your sanctuary are those who are saved.
A: Salvation….. the only way to “never be shaken”
P: Salvation … for others is my prayer.
S: Acts 12: 8 “Then the angel said to him…… “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison….”
O: Instant obedience… Peter has come a long way. It makes no sense, he thinks it is a dream but he puts his clothes on and keeps walking – right out of the prison. This is the way it should work… stop all that procrastinating and worrying and make those feet move. We live in our own prisons… our limitations… because we will not get up on our feet and move them. Peter living under severe persecution had no qualms about doing anything that God wanted him to do.
A: Must move these feet.
P: Lord help me to move my feet and do things.
S: Acts 12:15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her.
O: I have not heard anyone else spoken to with such disrespect that is within the church…. Is it because she is a woman and not an elder that they speak this way?.....whatever… she is the only one that has the truth about Peter and has it first. Think this happens a lot… the least likely person is the one that Jesus uses and we do not regard them….. and “God is no respecter of persons” (ActsW 10:34).. should keep us from such quick assessments of people but we are human and it happens.
A: Be aware of voices that may be spiritual but do not look like they have the message… by assuming things we pass over people that might be a great blessing to us.
P: To be able to listen to the girl by the door with the message as well as to people that seem to have it together… might just learn something.
S: Acts 12:22-23 “They shouted. “This is the voice of a god, not a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”
O: Pride, pride….. first he tries to be a people pleaser persecuting Christians then he accepts the adoration of people. This man is so full of ego. Pride goes before a fall and death is just around the corner. You do not mess with God as He runs the show.
A: We are so little …. We would not even remember Herod’s name if it was not for his relationship to Jesus. He allowed people to look at him like a God… but this adoration was shortlived.
P: Watch that the nasty sin of pride never
The priestly garments.
The colors are always blue, purple and scarlet. They are the clothes that the priests are to serve the people in when they approach God. The description of each piece is symbolic of Christ – the great high priests who intercedes for us…. With each piece the breastpiece over his heart… as we are …. The covering on his head .. the turban… we are His workmanship… made by a craftsman and carried daily by Christ.
S: Exodus 39:36 “the table with all its articles and the bread of the Presence, the pure
Gold lampstand and its row of lamps and all its accessories and the oil for the light;, the gold altar, the anointing oil, the fragrant incense, and the curtain for the entrance to the tent….
O: The Bread of the Presence apparently means the bread that is set out in the presence of God…. What it foreshadows is Jesus, the bread that will be broken for us…. The golden lampstand – Jesus as the “light of the world”… the oil – as the Holy Spirit – the curtain that would be split in two when Christ dies and resurrects… the fragrant incense to remind us of his birth, and his death.
A: Before the world began God was - I really do not understand the trinity but I do understand that God came in a human form for a period of time, and that the attributes of God were to be put in the human form of Jesus for us to know him in a way that we could understand.
P: Lord help me understand how to explain the three aspects of the nature that you display. That you are from the beginning of time and foretold in the ancient writings of the old testament and that you are not a separate person God but a form of our One God.
Exodus 40 – Setting up he tabernacle.to wash t
S: Ex 40:2 “Set up the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month. Place the ark of the Testimony in it ….:
O: They had been away from Egypt about a year – some commentaries say 2 weeks less than a year…. And it took a day to set up the tabernacle and this would be the first month which to the Jews is Nisan which is between March and April. So about now…. The setting up of the Tabernacle….. now the Passover celebration --- this year March 15, 2010.
A: So many correlations --- with the sacrifice of the perfect lamb…. Salvation day.
P: To remember what a great gift salvation is to me and to my family and to all to find this gift… why am I so quiet about it. Must change.
S: Exodus 40:9 “Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it….”
O: They did not just anoint people but also things. Interesting.
A: Not sure – what about dedication of our possessions to God…?
P: ??
S: Ex 40:30-32 “He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar and put water in it for washing, and Moses and Aaron and his sons used it to wash their hands and feet. They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
O: The ceremonial cleansing before approaching God. Now we are washed by Jesus through salvation and do not have to do this before approaching God however remembering what God did for us before approaching him in prayer might be a good way to prepare before praying or worshiping.
A: Do not just read this book, but think about what it all means, a little more diligence when approaching God.
P: To be more in awe when approaching God.
Psalm 15
S: Psalm 15:1 “Lord who may dwell in your sanctuary?”
O: This chapter talks about the blameless and righteous man who may dwell in God’s sanctuary and “will never be shaken”. The problem is that “there is no man righteous, no not one” and so it really means the person who has been sanctified by God and he only way this happens is to be saved… cleansed through the washing of Jesus. So the only ones who may dwell in your sanctuary are those who are saved.
A: Salvation….. the only way to “never be shaken”
P: Salvation … for others is my prayer.
S: Acts 12: 8 “Then the angel said to him…… “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison….”
O: Instant obedience… Peter has come a long way. It makes no sense, he thinks it is a dream but he puts his clothes on and keeps walking – right out of the prison. This is the way it should work… stop all that procrastinating and worrying and make those feet move. We live in our own prisons… our limitations… because we will not get up on our feet and move them. Peter living under severe persecution had no qualms about doing anything that God wanted him to do.
A: Must move these feet.
P: Lord help me to move my feet and do things.
S: Acts 12:15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her.
O: I have not heard anyone else spoken to with such disrespect that is within the church…. Is it because she is a woman and not an elder that they speak this way?.....whatever… she is the only one that has the truth about Peter and has it first. Think this happens a lot… the least likely person is the one that Jesus uses and we do not regard them….. and “God is no respecter of persons” (ActsW 10:34).. should keep us from such quick assessments of people but we are human and it happens.
A: Be aware of voices that may be spiritual but do not look like they have the message… by assuming things we pass over people that might be a great blessing to us.
P: To be able to listen to the girl by the door with the message as well as to people that seem to have it together… might just learn something.
S: Acts 12:22-23 “They shouted. “This is the voice of a god, not a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”
O: Pride, pride….. first he tries to be a people pleaser persecuting Christians then he accepts the adoration of people. This man is so full of ego. Pride goes before a fall and death is just around the corner. You do not mess with God as He runs the show.
A: We are so little …. We would not even remember Herod’s name if it was not for his relationship to Jesus. He allowed people to look at him like a God… but this adoration was shortlived.
P: Watch that the nasty sin of pride never
Saturday, March 13, 2010
February 4, 2010, Exodus 37 & 38, Psalm 19, Acts 11
February 4, 2010, Exodus 37 & 38, Psalm 19, Acts 11
Exodus 37
This starts with a description of the ark of the covenant…. The mercy seat. It is described in detail .. the cherubim on either side looking at each other over the center – and God is the center who they worship and adore continuously. Then there is the table where the shew bread would go and the utensils and candlesticks of pure gold. All these things are symbolic of God and his purity – the gold – the table set – as Jesus waits for us to dine with him – the golden candlesticks – the pure light of the world…. The incense and anointing oil – prayers and holy spirit anointing. A detailed description of all the attributes of God – the symbolism that foretells Christ…
Exodus 38
Description starts with the lesser materials bronze but getting closer to the holy of holies it is silver and then gold….getting closer to God. I am sure the details of the materials of this would make a fascinating study for another day.
Psalm 19
S: 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
O: How do we get that inner revival of our souls happening? … dwelling on the law of the Lord… there are many questions… because I do not understand it many times… but I know one thing and that these precepts… these words… this law is perfect and it take me from simple to wise.
A: To meditate on the words of these books daily.n
P: Wisdom – to pass on to my family.
Acts 11
S: Acts 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
O: We cannot see God… we are not to have idols that we can see… any kind of an image. I recently heard of a church that had their leaders picture everywhere… right away I was certain this church was off… I was right… written up as one of those groups to be aware of. No images …. But we are to be certain of what “we do not see.”
A: God is a Spirit…. There are many false religions out there… but we can look a some of the signs of false religions and know if it is wrong if certain precepts are not held to.
P: Discernment.
S: Acts 11:2 “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers criticized him and said “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
O: Peter – is just another man to his fellow Christians… they do not put him on a pedestal as the Catholic church has done…. In fact they question and criticize his actions…. Yes he was the first to share the gospel with the gentiles however to make him as great as the Catholic church does is a questionable practice.
A: We are atoll just sinners for whom Christ died…. There are none that are worthy…. We are not to be enthralled by human beings… and if we are.. we are off track. Always look to Jesus --- he is the author and finisher of our faith.
P: Never become enamoured with the messenger…. Always just the message.
S: Acts 11:19 “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in the connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch….”
O: Stephen was just a man that was asked to help look after the widows…. And yet his life and his martyrdom caused the gospel to be spread further than ever before. His testimony caused the spread of Christianity.
A: All tasks if done in obedience are worthy and all servants must be ready to explain the faith that they have… be prepared and well taught… just like Stephen.
P: To be obedient and well studied.
Title: Providing for those in Famine.
S: Acts 11:29 “The disciples each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.”
O: This is not a tithe… it is according to whatever each could do or give.
A: To give as I can.
P: Help me to give more.
Exodus 37
This starts with a description of the ark of the covenant…. The mercy seat. It is described in detail .. the cherubim on either side looking at each other over the center – and God is the center who they worship and adore continuously. Then there is the table where the shew bread would go and the utensils and candlesticks of pure gold. All these things are symbolic of God and his purity – the gold – the table set – as Jesus waits for us to dine with him – the golden candlesticks – the pure light of the world…. The incense and anointing oil – prayers and holy spirit anointing. A detailed description of all the attributes of God – the symbolism that foretells Christ…
Exodus 38
Description starts with the lesser materials bronze but getting closer to the holy of holies it is silver and then gold….getting closer to God. I am sure the details of the materials of this would make a fascinating study for another day.
Psalm 19
S: 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
O: How do we get that inner revival of our souls happening? … dwelling on the law of the Lord… there are many questions… because I do not understand it many times… but I know one thing and that these precepts… these words… this law is perfect and it take me from simple to wise.
A: To meditate on the words of these books daily.n
P: Wisdom – to pass on to my family.
Acts 11
S: Acts 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
O: We cannot see God… we are not to have idols that we can see… any kind of an image. I recently heard of a church that had their leaders picture everywhere… right away I was certain this church was off… I was right… written up as one of those groups to be aware of. No images …. But we are to be certain of what “we do not see.”
A: God is a Spirit…. There are many false religions out there… but we can look a some of the signs of false religions and know if it is wrong if certain precepts are not held to.
P: Discernment.
S: Acts 11:2 “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers criticized him and said “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
O: Peter – is just another man to his fellow Christians… they do not put him on a pedestal as the Catholic church has done…. In fact they question and criticize his actions…. Yes he was the first to share the gospel with the gentiles however to make him as great as the Catholic church does is a questionable practice.
A: We are atoll just sinners for whom Christ died…. There are none that are worthy…. We are not to be enthralled by human beings… and if we are.. we are off track. Always look to Jesus --- he is the author and finisher of our faith.
P: Never become enamoured with the messenger…. Always just the message.
S: Acts 11:19 “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in the connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch….”
O: Stephen was just a man that was asked to help look after the widows…. And yet his life and his martyrdom caused the gospel to be spread further than ever before. His testimony caused the spread of Christianity.
A: All tasks if done in obedience are worthy and all servants must be ready to explain the faith that they have… be prepared and well taught… just like Stephen.
P: To be obedient and well studied.
Title: Providing for those in Famine.
S: Acts 11:29 “The disciples each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.”
O: This is not a tithe… it is according to whatever each could do or give.
A: To give as I can.
P: Help me to give more.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Feb. 3, 2010, Exodus 35 & 36, Acts 10
Feb. 3, 2010, Exodus 35 and 36, Acts 10
S: Ex 35:2 “For six days, work is to b e done, but the seventh day shall be your holy seventh day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
O: So many verses are for the time before Jesus when we were not under forgiveness and grace…. But we pick and choose…. Don’t hear anyone preaching about not lighting a fire not turning on the furnace on Sunday (which would be deadly in parts of Canada in the winter)
A: Although I know I will not die for doing something on Sunday that does not mean that a morning Sunday service is all that is necessary…. It is a day… a whole day…a day of rest and I should remember this.
P: To rest and worship on Sunday…. Our day of Sabbath.
S: Ex 35:21 “..and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and gave an offering to the Lord.”
O: Although it is rare to hear a sermon about not shopping on Sunday anymore I have heard the mention of tithing – and yet that also was for the pre-covenant church. Now we should be giving as we have purposed in our hearts (2 Co 9:7) and we should be generous but the 10 % rule does not carry over to the redeemed…. We do not live under legalism but that should mean that we give as much as we can. In fact that is very much the wording of Ex 35:21 – “whose heart moved him” -- God gets along fine without our money but I have to learn to be generous because it changes who I am…. It makes me less grasping and takes away that lover of money part of our personality.
A: Give generously.
P: Help me to plan my giving so that I always have enough on hand to give.
S: Ex 36:5-7 “ The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work…..No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary. And so the people were restrained from bringing more….”
O: When God is in on it and there is willingness there is abundance. I have heard begging on the radio and on television and even in a church or two and have never heard an announcement that the giving should stop as there is more than can be used….something must be wrong with the giving or with the dispersing… not sure.
A: A heart change on this.
P: Just do it.
Acts 10
S: Acts 10:4 The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God.”
O: Although God does not need us to help the poor as he can call 10,000 angels – when we pray and when we do good – these things come up to God --- He sees and He is pleased.
A: Deeds – not done for brownie points with God or because He cannot do it without us but because we cannot stop ourselves from doing such things…. It is our passion both to please God and to give others comfort.
P: To do good as often as possible.
S: Acts 10:11-15 “He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down…..it contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles…then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
O: Peter is willing to do anything for his Lord however to change his religious rituals….that is almost overwhelming to him. How similar are we… a change in pastor or a change in the music and the stern faces in the congregation showing displeasure from people who dedicate their whole lives to God. Something to learn from this… if God is in on the change…. Just go with it. By changing his expectations Peter understands that God wants him to preach to the Gentiles and to Cornelius and his gathering. There would not have been the conversion of the Gentiles if Peter had been unwilling to change.
A: Yes, the music and style is different at church with a change of pastor but …. I know it is right to be supportive and just go with it. What else will be a change this year… perhaps big things…. If God is in it… I will go with it.
P: That we will go with the change and that God will bring it on.
S: Acts10:44 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”
O: All were speaking in tongues and the Holy Spirit fell on all of them. There was not the special gift for one or two or some of them but they were all who heard the message. This should be still be happening. If it not why not? Looking forward to things to come.
A: I know that I attend a church that holds back on the gifts and yet they have so many good things that happen there. Not sure if I am wrong to attend a church that is not a full charismatic church or not.
P: Revival oh Lord , in our churches, in our land.
S: Ex 35:2 “For six days, work is to b e done, but the seventh day shall be your holy seventh day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
O: So many verses are for the time before Jesus when we were not under forgiveness and grace…. But we pick and choose…. Don’t hear anyone preaching about not lighting a fire not turning on the furnace on Sunday (which would be deadly in parts of Canada in the winter)
A: Although I know I will not die for doing something on Sunday that does not mean that a morning Sunday service is all that is necessary…. It is a day… a whole day…a day of rest and I should remember this.
P: To rest and worship on Sunday…. Our day of Sabbath.
S: Ex 35:21 “..and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and gave an offering to the Lord.”
O: Although it is rare to hear a sermon about not shopping on Sunday anymore I have heard the mention of tithing – and yet that also was for the pre-covenant church. Now we should be giving as we have purposed in our hearts (2 Co 9:7) and we should be generous but the 10 % rule does not carry over to the redeemed…. We do not live under legalism but that should mean that we give as much as we can. In fact that is very much the wording of Ex 35:21 – “whose heart moved him” -- God gets along fine without our money but I have to learn to be generous because it changes who I am…. It makes me less grasping and takes away that lover of money part of our personality.
A: Give generously.
P: Help me to plan my giving so that I always have enough on hand to give.
S: Ex 36:5-7 “ The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work…..No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary. And so the people were restrained from bringing more….”
O: When God is in on it and there is willingness there is abundance. I have heard begging on the radio and on television and even in a church or two and have never heard an announcement that the giving should stop as there is more than can be used….something must be wrong with the giving or with the dispersing… not sure.
A: A heart change on this.
P: Just do it.
Acts 10
S: Acts 10:4 The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God.”
O: Although God does not need us to help the poor as he can call 10,000 angels – when we pray and when we do good – these things come up to God --- He sees and He is pleased.
A: Deeds – not done for brownie points with God or because He cannot do it without us but because we cannot stop ourselves from doing such things…. It is our passion both to please God and to give others comfort.
P: To do good as often as possible.
S: Acts 10:11-15 “He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down…..it contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles…then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
O: Peter is willing to do anything for his Lord however to change his religious rituals….that is almost overwhelming to him. How similar are we… a change in pastor or a change in the music and the stern faces in the congregation showing displeasure from people who dedicate their whole lives to God. Something to learn from this… if God is in on the change…. Just go with it. By changing his expectations Peter understands that God wants him to preach to the Gentiles and to Cornelius and his gathering. There would not have been the conversion of the Gentiles if Peter had been unwilling to change.
A: Yes, the music and style is different at church with a change of pastor but …. I know it is right to be supportive and just go with it. What else will be a change this year… perhaps big things…. If God is in it… I will go with it.
P: That we will go with the change and that God will bring it on.
S: Acts10:44 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.”
O: All were speaking in tongues and the Holy Spirit fell on all of them. There was not the special gift for one or two or some of them but they were all who heard the message. This should be still be happening. If it not why not? Looking forward to things to come.
A: I know that I attend a church that holds back on the gifts and yet they have so many good things that happen there. Not sure if I am wrong to attend a church that is not a full charismatic church or not.
P: Revival oh Lord , in our churches, in our land.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Feb. 2, 2010, Exodus 33 & 34, Psalm 16, Acts 9
Feb. 2, 2010, Exodus 33 & 34, Psalm 16, Acts 9
S: Ex 33:1-3 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place…. Go up to the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants.” I will send an angel before you…..Go to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a siff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
O: First of all – so all this time they were not headed for the promised land but God was with them ---- and now God finally tells them to head for promised land but he says he will not be with them as they go there because he is afraid he cannot restrain his anger and might accidentally destroy them on the way if he goes with them. Such difficult passage.
Here are my questions:
1. All this time in the wilderness I must assume that it is just a learning exercise as they are not spiritually ready to go to the promised land. So the people that came out of Egypt were not suppose to go to the promised land --- only the next generation as the people who had experienced Egypt were too sinful. Would they have followed Moses if they thought God had no intention of taking them to a better land? Were they duped?
2. God has been with them in the wilderness and they have done some very wrong things…. If he is now leaving them…. Will they not be more at risk of making great mistakes and this is their crucial time…. They are going to enter the promised land. How can God leave them when they need him most?
3. The reason that God gives that he cannot go with them to the promised land is that he cannot restrain his inclination to perhaps destroy them while they are going there. Does God have no restraint? Does God really leave us in our time of trouble? These verses are very strange to me.
A: I am going to believe that the verse in Hebrews 13 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The example of the Israelites must be a very special passage as I cannot see God ever leaving me --- This is the Rock that I stand upon and the hope that holds me firm through everything.
P: I do not understand that in this circumstance you left the Israelites but Lord I am convinced that you will never leave me…. Help me to always know that.
S: Ex 33:11 “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
O: I am trying to get the picture…. Moses sets up a small tent outside the camp and he goes in there where others may come and ask him questions that he can relay to God… he has his understudy Joshua son of Nun there with him in the tent (vs.11)……..while he was in this small tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance of the tent and in this pillar of cloud there would be God who would speak to Moses face to face. So God does have a real face and Jacob has seen it and so has Moses…. And perhaps even Joshua who is in the tent with Moses…. Even though later in the chapter --- Ex 33:20 says “no one may see my face and live.” Now it does not say when they will be struck dead … and at some point we all die… how can this controversial passage be explained? Not sure? If God has a face then does he at this point manifest himself in a physical body just as Jesus did when he came to earth? Many questions her
P: Lord I doubt if anyone has more questions about this Bible than me… is there someone out there that could explain a few of the answers … would love to converse with a Bible scholar who could answer a few of my questions…. For this I pray.
Title: Time in the tent with God
S: Ex 33:11 b “…Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua Son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
O: Joshua turns into a man who is a man among men – brave, Godly and without guile. Pehaps it is this time in the tent that made Joshua different. I would love time in a tent alone with God. What a great idea…. I wonder if this is here the feast of Tabernacles came from… or feast of Booths on Sept. 15 where they all get in little tents and eat and live in them for 7 days to remember the tents of the Israelites.
A: Plan a time to get in a place alone with God. What a good idea --- alone with God… nothing but a small dwelling. Must do this.
P: That it actually happens, a time alone with God.
Title: Moses negotiates with God.
S: Ex 33:18 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
O: Although God has said he will not go with him…. Moses convinces God to change His mind… is this what prayer is… begging God until He changes his mind. Does God not know what he will do from the beginning? How can God change his mind… or did God know what he would do all along? Just thinking.
A: If Moses could change the mind of God we can too. Prayer does work.
P: Changed lives… salvation for those I pray for.
S: Ex 33:19 “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
O: God makes the rules, true when we pray God will change his mind but He is sovereign and He answers always as He sees fit…. And sometimes he chooses to answer prayers that we should not have asked for and the answers are full of troubles. Just like when he gave the Israelites the desires of their hearts but sent leanness into their souls… we sometimes get what we want but reap that leanness in our souls.
A: Be careful what I pray for.
P: Wisdom in all that I pray for.
S: Ex 34:7 “Yet he 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.”
O: We pass on our sins, even our sins of omission, what our children see us do – they will do and so it goes…. We will reap the rewards of what we do when we look at our children. We better be good examples.
A: Be a good example.
P: Lord help us both to be the above.
S: Ex 34:19 “The firstborn of every womb belongs to me…..”
O: Self explanatory.
S: Ex 34:28 “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water.”
O: I know that you can survive 40 days without bread but without water ?? – the only way would be for God to help Moses supernaturally. What would have Moses mental condition have been like? He did come down with the ten commandments though.
Psalm 16
Acts 9
Saul is saved and becomes Paul and preaches.
S: Ex 33:1-3 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place…. Go up to the land I promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants.” I will send an angel before you…..Go to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a siff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
O: First of all – so all this time they were not headed for the promised land but God was with them ---- and now God finally tells them to head for promised land but he says he will not be with them as they go there because he is afraid he cannot restrain his anger and might accidentally destroy them on the way if he goes with them. Such difficult passage.
Here are my questions:
1. All this time in the wilderness I must assume that it is just a learning exercise as they are not spiritually ready to go to the promised land. So the people that came out of Egypt were not suppose to go to the promised land --- only the next generation as the people who had experienced Egypt were too sinful. Would they have followed Moses if they thought God had no intention of taking them to a better land? Were they duped?
2. God has been with them in the wilderness and they have done some very wrong things…. If he is now leaving them…. Will they not be more at risk of making great mistakes and this is their crucial time…. They are going to enter the promised land. How can God leave them when they need him most?
3. The reason that God gives that he cannot go with them to the promised land is that he cannot restrain his inclination to perhaps destroy them while they are going there. Does God have no restraint? Does God really leave us in our time of trouble? These verses are very strange to me.
A: I am going to believe that the verse in Hebrews 13 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” The example of the Israelites must be a very special passage as I cannot see God ever leaving me --- This is the Rock that I stand upon and the hope that holds me firm through everything.
P: I do not understand that in this circumstance you left the Israelites but Lord I am convinced that you will never leave me…. Help me to always know that.
S: Ex 33:11 “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
O: I am trying to get the picture…. Moses sets up a small tent outside the camp and he goes in there where others may come and ask him questions that he can relay to God… he has his understudy Joshua son of Nun there with him in the tent (vs.11)……..while he was in this small tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance of the tent and in this pillar of cloud there would be God who would speak to Moses face to face. So God does have a real face and Jacob has seen it and so has Moses…. And perhaps even Joshua who is in the tent with Moses…. Even though later in the chapter --- Ex 33:20 says “no one may see my face and live.” Now it does not say when they will be struck dead … and at some point we all die… how can this controversial passage be explained? Not sure? If God has a face then does he at this point manifest himself in a physical body just as Jesus did when he came to earth? Many questions her
P: Lord I doubt if anyone has more questions about this Bible than me… is there someone out there that could explain a few of the answers … would love to converse with a Bible scholar who could answer a few of my questions…. For this I pray.
Title: Time in the tent with God
S: Ex 33:11 b “…Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua Son of Nun did not leave the tent.”
O: Joshua turns into a man who is a man among men – brave, Godly and without guile. Pehaps it is this time in the tent that made Joshua different. I would love time in a tent alone with God. What a great idea…. I wonder if this is here the feast of Tabernacles came from… or feast of Booths on Sept. 15 where they all get in little tents and eat and live in them for 7 days to remember the tents of the Israelites.
A: Plan a time to get in a place alone with God. What a good idea --- alone with God… nothing but a small dwelling. Must do this.
P: That it actually happens, a time alone with God.
Title: Moses negotiates with God.
S: Ex 33:18 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
O: Although God has said he will not go with him…. Moses convinces God to change His mind… is this what prayer is… begging God until He changes his mind. Does God not know what he will do from the beginning? How can God change his mind… or did God know what he would do all along? Just thinking.
A: If Moses could change the mind of God we can too. Prayer does work.
P: Changed lives… salvation for those I pray for.
S: Ex 33:19 “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
O: God makes the rules, true when we pray God will change his mind but He is sovereign and He answers always as He sees fit…. And sometimes he chooses to answer prayers that we should not have asked for and the answers are full of troubles. Just like when he gave the Israelites the desires of their hearts but sent leanness into their souls… we sometimes get what we want but reap that leanness in our souls.
A: Be careful what I pray for.
P: Wisdom in all that I pray for.
S: Ex 34:7 “Yet he 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.”
O: We pass on our sins, even our sins of omission, what our children see us do – they will do and so it goes…. We will reap the rewards of what we do when we look at our children. We better be good examples.
A: Be a good example.
P: Lord help us both to be the above.
S: Ex 34:19 “The firstborn of every womb belongs to me…..”
O: Self explanatory.
S: Ex 34:28 “Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water.”
O: I know that you can survive 40 days without bread but without water ?? – the only way would be for God to help Moses supernaturally. What would have Moses mental condition have been like? He did come down with the ten commandments though.
Psalm 16
Acts 9
Saul is saved and becomes Paul and preaches.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Feb. 1, 2010, Exodus 30-32, Acts 8
Feb. 1, 2010, Exodus 30-32, Acts 8
S: Exodus 30:12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.”
O: There was always a price that had to be paid. This is foreshadowing of the price that is to be paid by Christ when he gives his life for our sins.
S: Ex. 31:1-4 “Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--- to make artistic designs…….”
O: Artists are given their skill by God. My son is a wonderful artist and yet he is doing another job as it is hard to work as an artist….
A: Oh that we would still create beautiful art for Christian purposes…. Gone are the days of beautiful churches and I know that it is true that God lives in our hearts and churches should not have money spent on lavish decor however that beautiful art of days gone by is so enjoyable and surely something small of that era could return.
P: An art job for my son so he can use his wonderful talent.
S: Ex. 31:15 “…..Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”
O: This is the Old Testament and under the law instead of grace however – very harsh – if it was so important then perhaps we should be a little more mindful of the importance of not working on the Sabbath as our business is a service business and employees often must work on the Sabbath.
A: Commit to doing as much as possible on Saturday so we can rest and worship on Sunday.
P: God help us to keep the Sabbath as a non working day for both us and our employees if at all possible and still maintain our business.
S: Ex 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
O: Moses is only on the mountain top for 40 days in total and I am not sure when during the 40 days that this delegation approached Aaron but it is like having the pastor for Sunday lunch…. A common occurrence in church communities…. How disloyal to the leader that God has chosen for them and how often we are the same to our spiritual leaders.
A: Never grumble about the leadership that God has chosen within our spiritual communities.
P: For our Christian leaders.
S: Ex 32:8 “They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them….”
O: Oh how quickly it happens, so many thoughts of dedication to God and then so quickly other things come in the way – even obligations that are good but that take me away from God.
A: Commitment….. praying for this commitment for my husband too so we can serve you together.
P: For a united commitment to you Lord.
S: Ex 32:24 “Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
O: Aaron sinned and had a golden calf made but instead of admitting his sin he said that the calf just appeared itself out of the gold that they had thrown in the fire. How ridiculous. He does not take responsibility for his part in this sin but makes up a stupid lie.
A: Denial of what the problem is or our part in disobeying God….. I do it, everyone does it but it has consequences….. we have to own up to our mistakes, repent and make changes …..that is the only answer.
P: Honesty when I have made mistakes, repentance and change.
S: Ex 32:26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord come to me.”
O: Talk is cheap…. At some point there is a day of decision and change when we must stand and do what
God wants us to do. We must stand and be counted for the Lord’s side.
A: We cannot straddle the fence in this Christian walk but must stand and be counted for Christ’s side.
P: A chance to stand for Christ’s side.
S: Ex 32:27 “…..Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbour.”
O: Don’t think I have ever noticed this verse before. It is the Levites that are to strap on swords and do this and kill 3000 of their own for this sin of worshipping another god and for this terrible service of killing their own these Levites are blessed. Very harsh.
A: I am so glad I live under grace as I have things that I love but I hope they are never that important to me…… God abhors when things become more important than him… whatever they are…. What am I thinking about…. Where is my heart?
P: Where your heart is there is your treasure also…… Lord help me to keep my heart on you.
S: Ex. 32:33 “The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.”
O: How wonderful that we will not be blotted out of God’s book because we sin…..because of Christ we can come to God with our sins and we are forgiven.
A: Must remember to come to God with my mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
P: Lord forgive me for complaining about things to my husband, for taking time off from my Bible study, for coveting new toys for my house, for chores neglected.
Acts 8
S: Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
O: After the martyrdom of Stephen the church became persecuted and many were dragged off to prison with Saul one of the great persecutors of the church. T his persecution however caused the church to scatter and for the gospel to be preached farther and farther away. God can take a terrible event and turn it into good…… think it is important to keep that in mind when things seem to be going wrong.
A: I have never really been persecuted for Christ’s sake but who knows …. It could happen….. this year will go to share the gospel in an unfriendly land as I join my daughter for a short time….. this is a new experience…. But this is how God works.
P: Lord give me strength to prepare for this upcoming work…. Need to learn and be spiritually ready.
S: Acts 8:15 “When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of he Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit”
O: How often I have heard that when you are saved you have had the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that seeking more is not scriptural. Here it is…. These people have been saved as only believers are baptized but they have not received the Holy Spirit until Peter and John place their hands on them for that express purpose.
A: I do not attend a church where I see the gifts happening….. should I be? I enjoy the many good works this church does…. But there it is…. Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands…. Miss this aspect of church.
P: Direction.
S: Acts 8:18-23 “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said “Give me this ability…… Peter answered, “May your money perish with you this because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money….. of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
O: Simon who was formerly a magician and had been saved and Baptized…. In this instance he is covetous of the gifts of Peter and John and Simon’s heart is wicked…. However is his sin such that it cannot be forgiven? How can Simon be “captive to sin” since he is a Christian
A: Christians can sin but can they sin so as to lose their salvation…. I do not believe so…. But if a Christian has returned to his wicked ways he must repent and ask for forgiveness just like anyone else. Even a Christian can once again be “Captive to sin”
P: Show me my sin Lord…… forgiveness please Lord.
S: Acts 8:26-27 “An angel of the Lord said to Phillip, “Go south…….down from Jerusalem to Gaza… on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch ….this man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah the prophet.”
O: Judaism has been part of Ethiopia for a long time….. perhaps since King Solomon’s time and the story of the Queen of Sheba having a son together or is it from earlier? It was a black Jew who had come to worship that carried Jesus cross. If Judaism had spread to Ethiopia – where else had it spread to—were the wise men who came from the East more than just star gazers but also like the eunuch readers of the prophecy about Christ? Not even Jewish historians have the answers about the Ethiopian Jewish history so it will remain a mystery.
A: There are no mistakes with God’s direction. If he directs us one way or another – there is a reason. It is hard to see into the future and figure out the plans of God when he directs us to different roads – but we have to trust – when we pray and seek God and he sends us places – it is for a reason…. And God wants everyone to know him ---- so it is for this reason …. Obedience will bear spiritual fruit.
P: Obedience even when it I can’t see why is my prayer.
S: Acts 8:32 -35 “The Eunuch was reading this passage of scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter….. The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me please who is the prophet talking about…. Then Philip began at that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus….. the eunuch said, “Look here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”
O: If we did what God directed those ready to be saved would be waiting for direction. It was God that prepared the eunuch’s heart…. He was just waiting for Philip to come by and explain things to him….. this is what it would be like if we were like Philip and obedient to God’s leading.
A: Obedience will reap eternal rewards…. So the reason I am not seeing souls saved is that there is a lack of obedience?????
P: Obedience please.
S: Acts 8:39 “…the eunuch did not see him (Philip) again but went on his way rejoicing.”
O: Philip disappears, it is almost a supernatural vanishing…. Seems to be teleported – an Enoch thing here perhaps or perhaps not. Do not understand how he disappears…. This verse is a mystery …. Is he teleported? This is a strange verse in the Bible.
There is no follow up by Philip here. The eunuch is on his own with the scripture that he has been diligently reading in the past and will continue to do. There are times when an encounter and direction is all that is required in leading a soul to Christ…. Someone in the next seat on an airplane…. If it is God directed and we are obedient then it is God’s appointed timing….. go for it rather than say nothing.
A: Be always ready to explain the hope that we have.
P: To be prepared and aware and directed … waiting for the God given opportunities.
S: Exodus 30:12 “When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them when you number them.”
O: There was always a price that had to be paid. This is foreshadowing of the price that is to be paid by Christ when he gives his life for our sins.
S: Ex. 31:1-4 “Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--- to make artistic designs…….”
O: Artists are given their skill by God. My son is a wonderful artist and yet he is doing another job as it is hard to work as an artist….
A: Oh that we would still create beautiful art for Christian purposes…. Gone are the days of beautiful churches and I know that it is true that God lives in our hearts and churches should not have money spent on lavish decor however that beautiful art of days gone by is so enjoyable and surely something small of that era could return.
P: An art job for my son so he can use his wonderful talent.
S: Ex. 31:15 “…..Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”
O: This is the Old Testament and under the law instead of grace however – very harsh – if it was so important then perhaps we should be a little more mindful of the importance of not working on the Sabbath as our business is a service business and employees often must work on the Sabbath.
A: Commit to doing as much as possible on Saturday so we can rest and worship on Sunday.
P: God help us to keep the Sabbath as a non working day for both us and our employees if at all possible and still maintain our business.
S: Ex 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
O: Moses is only on the mountain top for 40 days in total and I am not sure when during the 40 days that this delegation approached Aaron but it is like having the pastor for Sunday lunch…. A common occurrence in church communities…. How disloyal to the leader that God has chosen for them and how often we are the same to our spiritual leaders.
A: Never grumble about the leadership that God has chosen within our spiritual communities.
P: For our Christian leaders.
S: Ex 32:8 “They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them….”
O: Oh how quickly it happens, so many thoughts of dedication to God and then so quickly other things come in the way – even obligations that are good but that take me away from God.
A: Commitment….. praying for this commitment for my husband too so we can serve you together.
P: For a united commitment to you Lord.
S: Ex 32:24 “Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
O: Aaron sinned and had a golden calf made but instead of admitting his sin he said that the calf just appeared itself out of the gold that they had thrown in the fire. How ridiculous. He does not take responsibility for his part in this sin but makes up a stupid lie.
A: Denial of what the problem is or our part in disobeying God….. I do it, everyone does it but it has consequences….. we have to own up to our mistakes, repent and make changes …..that is the only answer.
P: Honesty when I have made mistakes, repentance and change.
S: Ex 32:26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord come to me.”
O: Talk is cheap…. At some point there is a day of decision and change when we must stand and do what
God wants us to do. We must stand and be counted for the Lord’s side.
A: We cannot straddle the fence in this Christian walk but must stand and be counted for Christ’s side.
P: A chance to stand for Christ’s side.
S: Ex 32:27 “…..Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbour.”
O: Don’t think I have ever noticed this verse before. It is the Levites that are to strap on swords and do this and kill 3000 of their own for this sin of worshipping another god and for this terrible service of killing their own these Levites are blessed. Very harsh.
A: I am so glad I live under grace as I have things that I love but I hope they are never that important to me…… God abhors when things become more important than him… whatever they are…. What am I thinking about…. Where is my heart?
P: Where your heart is there is your treasure also…… Lord help me to keep my heart on you.
S: Ex. 32:33 “The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.”
O: How wonderful that we will not be blotted out of God’s book because we sin…..because of Christ we can come to God with our sins and we are forgiven.
A: Must remember to come to God with my mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
P: Lord forgive me for complaining about things to my husband, for taking time off from my Bible study, for coveting new toys for my house, for chores neglected.
Acts 8
S: Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
O: After the martyrdom of Stephen the church became persecuted and many were dragged off to prison with Saul one of the great persecutors of the church. T his persecution however caused the church to scatter and for the gospel to be preached farther and farther away. God can take a terrible event and turn it into good…… think it is important to keep that in mind when things seem to be going wrong.
A: I have never really been persecuted for Christ’s sake but who knows …. It could happen….. this year will go to share the gospel in an unfriendly land as I join my daughter for a short time….. this is a new experience…. But this is how God works.
P: Lord give me strength to prepare for this upcoming work…. Need to learn and be spiritually ready.
S: Acts 8:15 “When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of he Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit”
O: How often I have heard that when you are saved you have had the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that seeking more is not scriptural. Here it is…. These people have been saved as only believers are baptized but they have not received the Holy Spirit until Peter and John place their hands on them for that express purpose.
A: I do not attend a church where I see the gifts happening….. should I be? I enjoy the many good works this church does…. But there it is…. Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands…. Miss this aspect of church.
P: Direction.
S: Acts 8:18-23 “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said “Give me this ability…… Peter answered, “May your money perish with you this because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money….. of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
O: Simon who was formerly a magician and had been saved and Baptized…. In this instance he is covetous of the gifts of Peter and John and Simon’s heart is wicked…. However is his sin such that it cannot be forgiven? How can Simon be “captive to sin” since he is a Christian
A: Christians can sin but can they sin so as to lose their salvation…. I do not believe so…. But if a Christian has returned to his wicked ways he must repent and ask for forgiveness just like anyone else. Even a Christian can once again be “Captive to sin”
P: Show me my sin Lord…… forgiveness please Lord.
S: Acts 8:26-27 “An angel of the Lord said to Phillip, “Go south…….down from Jerusalem to Gaza… on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch ….this man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading from Isaiah the prophet.”
O: Judaism has been part of Ethiopia for a long time….. perhaps since King Solomon’s time and the story of the Queen of Sheba having a son together or is it from earlier? It was a black Jew who had come to worship that carried Jesus cross. If Judaism had spread to Ethiopia – where else had it spread to—were the wise men who came from the East more than just star gazers but also like the eunuch readers of the prophecy about Christ? Not even Jewish historians have the answers about the Ethiopian Jewish history so it will remain a mystery.
A: There are no mistakes with God’s direction. If he directs us one way or another – there is a reason. It is hard to see into the future and figure out the plans of God when he directs us to different roads – but we have to trust – when we pray and seek God and he sends us places – it is for a reason…. And God wants everyone to know him ---- so it is for this reason …. Obedience will bear spiritual fruit.
P: Obedience even when it I can’t see why is my prayer.
S: Acts 8:32 -35 “The Eunuch was reading this passage of scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter….. The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me please who is the prophet talking about…. Then Philip began at that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus….. the eunuch said, “Look here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”
O: If we did what God directed those ready to be saved would be waiting for direction. It was God that prepared the eunuch’s heart…. He was just waiting for Philip to come by and explain things to him….. this is what it would be like if we were like Philip and obedient to God’s leading.
A: Obedience will reap eternal rewards…. So the reason I am not seeing souls saved is that there is a lack of obedience?????
P: Obedience please.
S: Acts 8:39 “…the eunuch did not see him (Philip) again but went on his way rejoicing.”
O: Philip disappears, it is almost a supernatural vanishing…. Seems to be teleported – an Enoch thing here perhaps or perhaps not. Do not understand how he disappears…. This verse is a mystery …. Is he teleported? This is a strange verse in the Bible.
There is no follow up by Philip here. The eunuch is on his own with the scripture that he has been diligently reading in the past and will continue to do. There are times when an encounter and direction is all that is required in leading a soul to Christ…. Someone in the next seat on an airplane…. If it is God directed and we are obedient then it is God’s appointed timing….. go for it rather than say nothing.
A: Be always ready to explain the hope that we have.
P: To be prepared and aware and directed … waiting for the God given opportunities.
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