Can you believe that we have actually read through ALL of Exodus? We've seen the growth and oppression of the children of Israel, the birth and adoption of Moses, the burning bush, the plagues, and the miraculous escape through the Red Sea. We've watched the Israelites complain, turn away from God, and rededicate their lives. Moses met with God on the mountain and returned with new guidelines for living, and the Israelites donated time and treasures to create the tabernacle in which God resides.

Today I tried to determine my favorite part of the book...it was tough! But I decided on Exodus 34:29-35.

Text:

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.
33 When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. 34 But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Being in the presence of God not only changed Moses' heart, it changed his physical appearance, too. He had such a glow about him that others couldn't bear to look upon him and he had to wear a veil to cover the glory of God.

The text says that he wore this veil in between the times he met with God, but whenever he was in God's presence it was removed. I wonder if the glow faded as he was away from God?

I think it's important to link these verses with Paul's reference to the veil in 2 Corinthians 3:13-18:

13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (NIV)

We are able to reflect God's glory wherever we go. But we have to remember that we can only obtain that glow from God by meeting with him. So get you glow on and get moving!

Exodus Day 9

Today's Reading Exodus 38 - 40

Context: Most of today's reading consists of work details related to the tabernacle and the priestly garments.

Today's Devotion Ex 40:33-36

33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels. (NIV)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

What emotions do you think the Israelites, and especially Moses, had as they finished erecting the tabernacle? I imagine there was pride in the workmanship and a sense of terror that they forgot something! At this point in history God wasn't too forgiving of disobedience -- with one lightning bolt they could all be toast (literally...).

I always wondered how Moses was able to keep track of all the instructions. We don't have any evidence that he took notes on God's directions...God probably embedded them in Moses' brain.

Imagine the relief they felt when God accepted their work and moved in!

Exodus Day 8

Today's Reading: Exodus 34 - 37
Context: Moses has returned to the mountain for addition instruction and a new set of tablets for the ten commandments.

Today's Devotional Text: Ex 34:18-22

18 "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt.
19 "The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock. 20 Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons.
"No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

21 "Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.

22 "Celebrate the Feast of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year. 23 Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Today's text holds three areas of improvement for me:

1. Celebrations. Do you celebrate enough? We usually devote a week or so to celebrating Christmas at our house because we have so many different relatives we need to visit with. Easter also deserves special treatment, but after the church service our day often continues on as if it weren't a holiday. We go out to dinner for birthdays, but that is really the extent of celebration for us. God told the Hebrews to celebrate with feasts, worship, and fellowship. I want to work harder at making special days memorable!

2. Sabbath. I think the movement to open the stores on Sunday has done a lot of harm to our remembrance of the Sabbath. While our society doesn't stop laboring like many did in earlier times (after all, if you don't cut the grass on Sunday when will it get done?), but now it seems like just another Saturday filled with errands. How would life change if we all devoted our Sunday's to the work of the Lord?

3. Offering. Look back at verse 20...God says that "no one is to appear before me empty handed." We don't have the types of sacrifices that were required under Hebrew law, but how often to I appear before the Lord empty handed? I pray for his protection and blessing on my day, but I don't really hand my day over to him...I really want him to protect and bless the things I have planned. What am I willing to take to God each day? This is an area I need to pay more attention to!

Think about the four chapters you read today...what is God telling you to work on?

Exodus Day 7

Today's Reading: Exodus 30 - 33
Context: God has finished with his instructions to Moses and has given him a tablet with the ten commandments. God became upset at the people because they created and worshipped a golden calf. God told Moses that he would no longer lead the way for the people in the desert because he was afraid he'd kill them if he got near! Moses has been arguing with him.

Today's Devotion Text:

7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

We see Joshua in the text today in two places. He met with Moses after God gave the ten commandments, and it almost seems like he didn' t really know what was going on with the people -- maybe he (Joshua) stayed outside of the camp the entire time Moses was gone.

Here again, in today's devotion text, Joshua is right by Moses' side -- even in the tent of meeting! When Moses finishes talking with God he returns to the camp, but Joshua stays behind. Did Joshua hear God speak, too? Was he guarding the tent, or was God preparing him in some way for his future leadership role? Whatever the reason, Joshua seems to have set himself apart from the influence of the crowd.

Where do you see yourself in today's reading? Like Moses, do you seek the will of God? Are you a key supporter of one of God's chosen? Do you turn quickly to other gods like the Israelites did? Do you cave to peer pressure like Aaron? Do you stand quickly when asked if you support God like the Levites did?

What role do you want to play?

Exodus - Day 6

Did you read Exodus 21-24 over the weekend? We're jumping right into the Exodus 25-29 for today's reading.

Context: Moses is on the holy mountain and God is giving him instruction. In the past four chapters he has talked about laws related to Hebrew servants, personal injuries, protection of property, social responsibility, justice and mercy, annual festivals, and he has confirmed the covenant. In today's reading God has given detailed instructions for the building of the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, and the items to go into the tabernacle.

Ex 27:1-5
1 "Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. 2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. 3 Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. 4 These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests. 5 Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Many years before Moses appeared before Pharaoh to request the release of the Hebrew people, God was preparing his elect for the work that was to come. There were many men (and women?) who learned sewing, wood working, metal working, and construction at the feet of skilled craftsmen. They had years to practice these crafts, becoming very skilled in their own right. Now, after they have been taken away from everything they know, God is giving them the job of a lifetime -- to create a tabernacle and to outfit God's own holy priests in a manner defined by God himself.

Did you catch verse 3 above? "Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters..." Through the course of their lives God has prepared them with skill and wisdom. I'm sure there were days in the lives of each of these craftsmen when they questioned their choice of career. It was too difficult to learn, and their backs, arms, and fingers cramped. they destroyed several items out of foolishness, carelessness, and ignorance before they became proficient enough to turn out something of value. I'm sure there were days when they thought they should quit (perhaps prompted by the criticism of the knowledgeable craftsmen they apprenticed for).

But God was preparing them for this very moment. He watched as they smashed their thumbs, burned their arms, and bled from the prick of the needle.

What difficult lessons or skills are you learning that may be part of God's training regime?

NOTE: I am giving away two copies of "Closer Than Your Skin" on by book review blog today. This book helps you learn how to develop closer communication with God so you can better understand his will and more tangibly feel his love! Leave an e-mail address or some other way that I can contact you in case you win!

Exodus Day 5

Read Exodus 17 - 20

Today's Devotion:
Read Exodus 17-20

I'm really having trouble choosing just one series of verses from this text, so I decided to just list some of the questions and thoughts I had while going through these chapters. I hope it causes you to read the text and come up with some of your own questions!

1. Ex 17:1 Isn't it interesting that they are traveling in the Desert of Sin??? I didn't notice that yesterday. Was it called that before they started, or was that the name given to it because it was where they sinned?

2. Ex 17:2 Why did God wait to provide water until the people grumbled? Did they grumble without first asking God to provide it for them? How often do I complain about something without going to God first? Way too often...

3. Ex 17:3 Already the Israelites were planning to return to Egypt...what they remembered as full pots of meat sound much better than manna day after day. But they have forgotten the reality of slavery and the poverty they were forced into. Sin is like that -- it's really tempting to go back to, but we quickly forget the painful side of our life back then.

4. Ex 17:14 God told Moses to record the battle against the Amalekites and to be sure Joshua heard it. Joshua was leading the battle, but he didn't realize the true reason for the win...that Moses was on the hill worshipping God. This is one of the first hints we have that Joshua will be important in Israeli history.

5. Ex 18:2 Moses sent Zipporah away before he actually went into Egypt. I wonder how he had changed since she last saw him? He's been through an amazing spiritual encounter, but she may have been expecting her familiar shepherd.

6. Ex 18:14 Have you ever had a mentor who helped you see a more effective way to do things? How often do we continue struggling with the need to be in charge and responsible for everything instead of delegating?

7. Ex 19:12 Why did God only show himself to Moses and a few others? He set himself apart as one to be feared...such a different God than we see once Christ appears.

8. Ex 20: 17 Don't covet...hmm, it seems like that is one of the biggest problems people in America have today. We always want more...and someone else always has more for us to want! Just think what it would be like if we were all satisfied with what we have?

I'd love to hear about the thoughts you had while reading through the text!

Exodus Day 4

Today's reading is Exodus 13 - 16.

Devotion: Ex 13:11-16

Context: God's final instructions as the Israelites leave Egypt.

Text:

11 "After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your forefathers, 12 you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.
14 "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.' 16 And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Wow...either consecrate the first born lamb to the Lord or kill them? That's a tough instruction!

I looked up the word 'consecrate', and the Hebrew word dictionary says 'redeemed'...hmm, that didn't really help me much! My Oxford Dictionary/Thesaurus (a REALLY cool book, by the way!) helped more. Redeemed can be defined as 'saving someone from sin, error, or evil', 'repay or clear a debt', and 'fulfill a pledge or promise'. To consecrate is 'to make or declare something to be holy or sacred'.

The Israelites were to remember God's miracle of Passover every time they looked at their firstborn -- child or animal. To remember that He loved His people enough to save them from slavery and to protect their children from the plague on the Egyptians.

Do you have anything that reminds you of God's love? We don't set one child apart from the rest, but we still need to remember how much God has done for us on a regular basis. If the Israelites, who saw all of the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the daily miracle of manna, could forget God's love for them, it is much easier for us to forget.

Look around your desk or your home, and find something that reminds you of how far you have come since you accepted Jesus. Whenever you see that item (or person), be sure to send up a prayer of thanks!

Exodus Day 3

Today's reading is Exodus 9 - 12.

Today's Devotion: Ex 10:13-18

Context: In today's reading the Lord has responded to Pharaoh's resistance with a livestock plague, boils, hail, and locusts. There is not a single growing thing left and most of the Egyptian livestock have died. Yet Pharaoh still refuses to let the Israelites go.

Text:

13 So Moses stretched out his staff over Egypt, and the LORD made an east wind blow across the land all that day and all that night. By morning the wind had brought the locusts; 14 they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again. 15 They covered all the ground until it was black. They devoured all that was left after the hail—everything growing in the fields and the fruit on the trees. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.
16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. 17 Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me."

18 Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 19 And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. [c] Not a locust was left anywhere in Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

These last days in Egypt before the exodus always raise questions in my mind. Why was Pharaoh so stubborn? At this point all of his advisers were telling him to just let the Israelites go. He spent an extra night with the frogs (remember yesterday? He said that he'd agree 'tomorrow' while the land was overrun by frogs, who represented one of the gods of Egypt). Up to this point Pharaoh has hardened his own heart, but now, after the locusts, God hardens his heart. Why would he do that?

What is it about the final plagues, the plague of darkness and the plague on the firstborn, that had to be accomplished? There are many who have guessed at this answer...what do you think?

Exodus Day 2

Read Exodus 5 - 8 (on-line)

Today's Devotion: Ex 5:17 - 6:1

Context: Moses and Aaron have gone to Pharaoh for the first time to ask that the Israelites be freed to celebrate a festival in the desert. Pharaoh refused and he made the work harder for the Israeli slaves by causing them to search the desert for straw instead of having it provided so they could make bricks.

Text:

17 Pharaoh said, "Lazy, that's what you are—lazy! That is why you keep saying, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks."
19 The Israelite foremen realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I wonder if Moses thought that all he would have to do is ask Pharaoh to release the slaves and it would be done? Since Moses was directly following His orders, it should be easy, right?

It is really easy to lose heart when things don't go the way you expect. You can be convinced that God wants you to do something (regardless of what it is), and therefore expect all to go well. When it doesn't, I often question my motivation -- was it really God, or was it just some half-baked idea I dreamed up? Or worse, am I doing something totally wrong and God has put a wall in my path to show me that I need to change my ways?

Each time Moses failed to get the Israelites released, he heard directly from God that he should return. It's hard to deny that calling. We seldom have the luxury of hearing God's words audibly...how do you know when to keep pushing and when to stop? How can you be sure that you are truly doing God's will?

Exodus Day 1

Sorry I missed you all yesterday. Sammi is definitely on the mend, but she's still taking pain medications and she tires very easily. I heard Steve did a fantastic job of covering world history from the first ray of light to the last breath of Joseph in 45 minutes!

We have two weeks before we review Exodus (since next Sunday is Missionary Sunday), so we can read through this one a little more slowly. If you read 4 chapters a day, you can take 2 days of your choice off (I always have trouble reading on Saturdays for some reason)!

Today, read Exodus 1-4 (you can read it here)

Today's devotion: Exodus 3:10-17

Context: Moses has been born, adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, discovered who he is, killed an Egyptian, escaped to Midian, married Zipporah, and has become a shepherd. While tending the sheep, he has seen the burning bush and he's now talking with God. God is speaking:

Text:

10 "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [a] will worship God on this mountain."

13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [b] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [c] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

16 "Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'(NIV)

Footnotes:

a. Exodus 3:12 The Hebrew is plural.
b. Exodus 3:14 Or I will be what I will be
c. Exodus 3:15 The Hebrew for LORD sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for I am in verse 14.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I often joke that I wish I could receive a postcard or letter from God telling me what he wants me to do. But, like Moses, I imagine that even if I held such a letter in my hand, or if I was confronted with an unbelievable miracle of God, I would unfortunately still be hesitant. God is very patient with Moses, even though He gets angry at Moses' doubt.

This passage always reminds me that God's ways are not our ways (or at least mine!). If I were in a situation like this, I know I would be in disbelieve...it would be easier to believe I'd fallen and was in an unconscious dream. God tells Moses that He will give a sign so Moses knows it is God who sends him. Did you catch the sign?

AFTER Moses has approached Pharaoh, gotten about a million people to work together, helped them escape, and he's taken them several days across the desert, THEN they will worship God on the very mountain where he is standing at the moment. Hello....I think I'd need a sign a little more immediate than that (stating, of course, that the burning bush wasn't sufficient...).

It reminds me of the miracles Jesus did in public view, yet the Pharisees still wanted another sign. Lord, help me in my disbelief!

Genesis Day 5

Today's Reading - Genesis 17 - 20 (you can read it here)

Devotion Text: Gen 18:16-26

16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. 17 Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
20 Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

26 The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Unless I missed it, this is the first time the Lord has actually appeared to and walked with man since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden. This is one of the few times we see someone pleading with God to change his mind.

So did Abraham's request change the course of history? In the end, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Abraham's pleas were unfortunately easy for God to respond to since he knew the wicked hearts of those who lived in the towns.

But this passage shows us a lot about the heart of God. He could have zapped Abraham with a lightning bolt for daring to question the plans of the Almighty. He could have laughed at him for his feeble attempt to change the eternal judgement of two of the most evil towns in the history of the world.

But He didn't. He knew Abraham's heart and the future that was planned for him. God trusted him enough to share His plan. Abraham continues to plead with God to cancel His plans, and God agrees that if there are just ten righteous people in the towns they will not be destroyed.

By sharing this story, God has given us permission to question his plans and even to plead for him to reconsider! He knows the outcome, but I wonder if he shares plans with us just to see if we trust his love enough to argue?

Genesis Day 3

I know I'm running just a 'little' late today...Sammi had her nose surgery this morning and all went well. She's sore and swollen...pretty much looks like she's been in a fight, but she should heal quickly.

Have you had a chance to review your handout from Sunday's lesson yet? Don't forget to look it over! Do you remember the goal you set for this series? Mine was to understand and remember the key message of each book of the Bible. I get extra credit if I can also say how each pertains to me and what I did to put it into action. Tell at least one person your goal -- it will help you remember it better and it help you to be more accountable for it!

Today read Genesis 9-12 (can read it here if you want)

Today's devotion text -- Gen 11:24-32

24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he became the father of Terah. 25 And after he became the father of Terah, Nahor lived 119 years and had other sons and daughters.
26 After Terah had lived 70 years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran.

27 This is the account of Terah.
Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 28 While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth. 29 Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. 30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.

31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.

32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

These four chapters covered a lot of time -- from Noah to Abram! Did you notice what happened to the life span after the flood? After Noah lived 950 years, it looks like the life span was cut by almost 75%....the next folks who are listed with their ages only lived into their 200's. I wonder why that changed?

We also start seeing some pretty, um..., interesting situations. We learn about Terah, the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. We don't know why Haran, Abram's brother, died, but it was obvious that his father loved him very much. Haran's daughter, Milcah, married her uncle Nahor. For some reason they stayed behind in Ur while Terah took Abram, Sarai, and his grandson, Lot, to a new land. They were actually heading toward Canaan, but decided that they liked a piece of land on the way. Terah named it after his dead son, and they all settled in.

If you read on in Chapter 12, God tells Abram to take all of his possessions and leave...without having a destination in mind. Abram's wife, Sarai, is beautiful, and he's afraid that the king of the land they are visiting might kill him (Abram) so he can steal Sarai. Check it out to see what happens!

Genesis - Day 2

Today, read Genesis 4 - 8 (to catch up). You can read it HERE if you want.

Today's devotional passage: Genesis 5:1-14

1 This is the written account of Adam's line.
When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man. [a] "
3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father [b] of Enosh. 7 And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.(NIV)

Footnotes:

Genesis 5:2 Hebrew adam
Genesis 5:6 Father may mean ancestor ; also in verses 7-26.

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I could have added several more verses, but I think this is enough geneology! I tend to switch from 'reading mode' to 'scanning mode' whenever I come across geneological information in the Bible. I'm not as concerned about who is the father of whom...I want to get the to good stuff where God might be giving direction!

But the geneologies are there for a reason...they too are included by God. These are of interest because of the life span of the early men. Adam lived 930 years! And we think it's such an accomplishment to now have an expected life span of 72 years.

I think I'll come up with a new diet/exercise plan...go to the wilderness taking absolutely nothing with you, and survive. Build your own shelter, collect or grow your own food (can't buy seed, though), make your own clothes. Eat nothing that isn't grown naturally. No running water (other than the creek), no electricity, no tools, no medicine, no cell phones or ipods.

Bet we'd all lose weight!

Susan Stitch
http://faithbuildersdailies.blogspot.com/
http://hismorningglory.blogspot.com/

Getting Caught

We are embarking on a journey through the entire Bible! This week Steve has asked us to read at least Genesis 1-27 and 49. Our daily Bible studies will involve texts from those sections. If you read four chapters per day you can complete this assignment.

Monday -- Genesis 1-3 (click here if you want to read this on-line)

Text for devotion: Gen 3:6-11

Context: God has created the entire world, including vegetation and animal/human life. Eve was created and has encountered the serpent, who is tempting her to sin.

Text:

6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" (NIV)

Taken from www.biblegateway.com

Do you remember being a child and having done something wrong? When I was very young (I had to be about three), my friend convinced me that we should raid his Mom's kitchen. I have no recollection of where his mom might have been at the time, but we opened the refrigerator and the pantry and had a little feast. All I really remember about the actual banquet was eating dry cake mix while he drank from the ketchup bottle. However, I do remember the repercussions. About the time we decided we were full, we must have looked around the kitchen and realized that we had done a bad thing! I remember running home and hiding in my bed with the covers pulled all the way over my head.

Eventually I heard those dreaded footsteps. Somehow my mother found me (hmmm...she must have had x-ray vision), and I knew before the blankets were pulled back that I was in deep trouble. I can't remember getting a spanking, but I do remember that I had to get all the pennies out of my piggy bank and take them to my friends mother, telling her that I was sorry. And I remember that the pantry had a lock on it from that time forward!

I've also done things as a Christian that made me want to hide from God...but somehow he always finds me. I've never had to listen for his footsteps like Adam and Eve did, but I have concocted great explanations of why I did what I did...all pretty useless.

I wonder if God giggles at our feeble attempts to hide from him the same way my Mom did when she saw that quivering lump under the blankets?

The Power of Words

Read John 18:1-8

Context: Just prior to Jesus' arrest.

Text:

1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

7Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

8"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

Have you ever been 'knocked over' by someones' words? Words so unexpected, so powerful that your world was thrown off course for a time? The message could have been wonderful or tragic, but they caused a paralysis in your soul for a time while you processed them.

This is the only instance that I know where words actually caused people to fall to the ground...many people. I have to wonder about the emotion behind Christ's words. He had spent the roughest moments of his life just prior to this in prayer, and he knew what lay ahead. There are other times when Jesus revealed to others who he was using the words "I am," but no one was cast to the ground. Was he frustrated and impatient at this moment, saying the words with more force than he would typically? Did he want to give them one more chance to understand and admit whom he really was, so he spoke more powerfully? Or was God giving him a demonstration that, despite what was to come, He was still in control?

It's another one of those questions to put on my list to ask when I get to Heaven. In the meantime, it's one more clear demonstration that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

What Does the Resurrection Mean for You?

Read John 4:23-26

Context: This is part of the passage where Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman at the well.

Text:

23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I don't think I really noticed it before, but look at what the woman says about what the Messiah will do when he comes. She doesn't say that he will save people from their sin, or that he will save the Jews from persecution. She says that "he will explain everything to us."

Jesus spoke regularly to anyone who would listen, and he tried to clarify things even when others (like the Pharisees) didn't really want to listen. The gospel writers recorded him saying "I tell you the truth" more than twenty times. He spoke in parables and in the language of the time to help people understand the concepts he brought.

"If anyone has ears, let him hear." (Mk 4:23)

In The Midst of the Storm

Sorry this is late today. It's been a long night and an early morning. Alicia (our college age daughter) attends Union University. For those of you who may not have heard the news this morning, Union made headlines nationally because they were hit hard by a tornado. In 35 seconds the world changed for a lot of people.

Alicia and all of her friends are ok. If you see the pictures, it's amazing to know that not one person died...only six kids ended up in the hospital over night (five of them are considered in serious condition -- no one in critical condition). 13 students were trapped in the rubble (some photos at www.jacksonsun.com) and had to be rescued. The women's dorms are totally destroyed, as are many of the boys dorms. The main classroom building on campus lost it's roof. Cars are stacked up like dominoes. Not a single building on campus was unscathed.

Students spent the night at professors homes and in Red Cross shelters. Alicia lives off campus, and the only damage she had to deal with was a broken windshield. They lost power for several hours, but it's back now. The kids are being let back onto campus right now, 8:00, and I imagine it is a horrifying experience.

The verse that keeps coming to mind is Deuteronomy 31:6,

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Union apparently received the brunt of the storm in the town of Jackson...a place filled with students praying desperately through their fear. Some may say that it's interesting that God would hit a Christian college...but I keep thinking about what might have happened if it were a different location where people weren't praying. Despite the damage, God protected each and every one of the students and professors on campus (night classes were in session). I know that he is there now and that he will use this disaster to further his plan.

Please pray for the students, and their families who are far away, that they will be able to deal with the emotional trauma, that they will demonstrate Christ to others through out the clean up, that they will be able to return to classes quickly enough not to cause problems with graduation plans, and that God will be glorified through this disaster.

There are thousands of people who have been impacted by these horrible storms. And apparently they aren't over -- lots of tornado warnings in eastern Tennessee/Kentucky, and Western/Central Georgia. Pray that they will be strong and courageous, and that they will know God will never leave or forsake them.

What Does It Take To Believe?

Read Matthew 12:33-41

Context: Jesus has just healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. Everyone was astonished, but the Pharisees said that Jesus must be healing by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus talks about kingdoms divided against themselves not being able to stand.

Text:

33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
38Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."
39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one[a] greater than Jonah is here. (NIV)

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 12:41 Or something; also in verse 42

taken from www.biblegateway.com

The second set of verses Steve gave us is Mt 12:38-40.

Why are we so suspicious? Over the centuries I guess we've had enough reason to disbelieve anything that is counter to what we have been taught, and there have been enough sheisters to make all of us check out the facts. Even when faced with God in the flesh the Pharisees wanted to see signs greater than healings and exorcisms.

Yet even when the sign of Jonah was given they still didn't believe. Was there anything that would have changed their minds?

Why is the Resurrection Important?

Steve asked us to read several verses this week to answer that question. This week we'll check them out.

Read Romans 1:1-7

Context: This is the introduction of Paul's letter to the Romans. He is unable to travel to Rome at the time so this letter is an introduction to the message he wants to deliver as part of his ministry.

Text:

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit[a] of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)


Footnotes:

Romans 1:4 Or who as to his spirit
Romans 1:4 Or was appointed to be the Son of God with power

taken from www.biblegateway.com
The key verse Steve gave was verse 4. Look at it carefully...why is the resurrection so important to our Christian faith?

There are a lot of arguments about 'predestination'...to me it doesn't matter so much that I was predestined to be a Christian. It's much more important that I accepted Christ and I am one! We know that God doesn't want even one of us to fall into Satan's hands, so maybe we are all predestined, but he still gives us a choice to say yes or no.

To all in Florissant (or wherever you are!) who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

He Rebukes Those Whom He Loves

Read Revelations 3:14-22

Context: John the apostle had a vision late in his life. In it he was taken up to Heaven to meet God. Jesus spoke to him and asked that John write everything that he was seeing. Jesus gave messages to seven churches...this is one of those messages.

Text:

14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

In verse 19 Jesus says that he rebukes and disciplines those he loves. Each of his seven messages contain rebuke and advice. I wonder what message he would give to the church in America?