Exodus 33 and 34
Unveiled Faces
Moses was not willing to move ahead without God. He realized that any good that had come upon the Israelites was because of God. He also realized that without God, they were no different than any other group of people on earth.
How would you feel if God said He would not continue to go with you?
What caused God to feel this way about the Israelites?
Once again, Moses went up the mountain to be with God for 40 days and nights. Listen to this description of the LORD from Exodus 34:6-7. “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished…”
After Moses spent time with the LORD and received another copy of the words of the covenant, he came down the mountain. And his face reflected the glory of God.
When you have spent time with God, is it obvious to others? Do you reflect His glory?
Each time Moses went in to be with God, he unveiled his face. He did not go before the LORD with anything hidden.
II Corinthians 3:18 talks about the transformation that can happen in us when we approach God without anything hidden. “And, 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.”
Let this be your challenge and your encouragement today. Approach Him with nothing hidden, and allow His Spirit within you, to transform you into His likeness – and may you reflect His glory.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
January 30...
Forty Days!!
Exodus 32
Forty days!! It really isn’t that long. You were getting out of school for Christmas break about 40 days ago. 40 days, the Israelites went from saying “We will obey. We will do everything the LORD has said to do” to “Come make us gods who will go before us!”
Commandments 1 and 2 – L1 – the biggie! And, Aaron who had been on the mountain top in the presence of God just a few weeks ago – who was entrusted with the leadership of the God’s people – responded, “Bring me your gold.”
Are you kidding me? Then he had the gall to say that the idols that he made were the gods who brought them out of Egypt!! They didn’t just kind of break the L1 commandment – they built an altar, made sacrifices, and had a festival. They treated these Aaron made gods as if they were the one true GOD!
What was God’s response? Anger! He was ready to destroy them, but Moses begged God to spare them.
When confronted by Moses, Aaron lied. He would not even take ownership for his part in the sin. Moses had to be disappointed in the Israelites – and Aaron. But he begged for God to forgive them.
Did God forgive them?
Were there consequences to their sin? What were they?
Why do you think Aaron was a weak leader? Do you think he was jealous of Joshua?
Why do you think the Israelites turned away from obedience so quickly?
Do we so this today?
For Further Study: Exodus 25-31 – Guidelines for worship
God was very specific about how He was to be worshipped. Read the guidelines set forth in these chapters. Why do you think God was so specific? Do we still observe any of these guidelines today? Why or why not?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 29...
Exodus 20, 24
The people were afraid. They did not want God to talk directly to them. They wanted Moses to be their messenger.
What does Exodus 20:20 say will help keep the people from sinning? Does this apply to us today? Do people today fear God?
The first three of God’s commandments began with recognizing who God is and giving Him His due respect. The fourth commandment is our Creator telling us that we need to rest. He has created us and He knows that we don’t always rest – so He designated a day for us that was set apart and blessed by God for rest. The last six commandments have to do with our actions toward others. Honoring our parents, valuing the life that God created, respecting what belongs to others, being content with what we have, and guarding our tongue – all of these things God commanded.
The blood covenant was confirmed and the people responded by saying “Everything the LORD has said we will do. We will obey.”
Moses went back up to the mountaintop with the people watching, and he took Joshua. He left Aaron in charge of the people. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights.
What do you think was going through Aaron’s mind?
What do you think was going through Joshua’s mind?
What do you think the people were thinking as the time went on?
For Further Study: Guidelines – Exodus 21-23 The Israelites had lived as slaves for hundreds of years. To suddenly be free and have decisions to make and order to keep was difficult. God gave them valuable guidelines about how to live as free people. These guidelines provided structure for their new community.
The people were afraid. They did not want God to talk directly to them. They wanted Moses to be their messenger.
What does Exodus 20:20 say will help keep the people from sinning? Does this apply to us today? Do people today fear God?
The first three of God’s commandments began with recognizing who God is and giving Him His due respect. The fourth commandment is our Creator telling us that we need to rest. He has created us and He knows that we don’t always rest – so He designated a day for us that was set apart and blessed by God for rest. The last six commandments have to do with our actions toward others. Honoring our parents, valuing the life that God created, respecting what belongs to others, being content with what we have, and guarding our tongue – all of these things God commanded.
The blood covenant was confirmed and the people responded by saying “Everything the LORD has said we will do. We will obey.”
Moses went back up to the mountaintop with the people watching, and he took Joshua. He left Aaron in charge of the people. He was gone for 40 days and 40 nights.
What do you think was going through Aaron’s mind?
What do you think was going through Joshua’s mind?
What do you think the people were thinking as the time went on?
For Further Study: Guidelines – Exodus 21-23 The Israelites had lived as slaves for hundreds of years. To suddenly be free and have decisions to make and order to keep was difficult. God gave them valuable guidelines about how to live as free people. These guidelines provided structure for their new community.
January 28...
Exodus 18 and 19
Moses went to God and the LORD reminded him of the covenant. He reminded the Israelites of how He had delivered them from Egypt. He reminded them that if they obeyed Him and kept the covenant, that they would be His chosen people and a holy, or set apart, nation.
God set the stage. He wanted the Israelites to feel the awe of His presence and hear His voice. He wanted to remind them of who He was, and He wanted to restore their trust in their leaders, Moses and Aaron.
The people had to spend several days preparing to be in the presence of God. They had to make sure that they were physically clean and mentally prepared. They were given limits as to how close they could approach Him. Even the priests were given limits. And if they disobeyed, the consequence was death. God was serious about obedience and respect.
This was not just another day in the wilderness. God told Moses to bring Aaron up to the mountaintop with him, and the people waited with great anticipation.
think about it...
What would you have been thinking at this point at the base of the mountain?
How do you approach God?
Do you approach Him as the Almighty?
Have you ever been in awe of His presence? When?
Have you ever heard His voice?
Do you respect the limits He has placed or do you ignore His guidelines and do what you want?
Is God still as serious today about obedience and respect?
Moses went to God and the LORD reminded him of the covenant. He reminded the Israelites of how He had delivered them from Egypt. He reminded them that if they obeyed Him and kept the covenant, that they would be His chosen people and a holy, or set apart, nation.
God set the stage. He wanted the Israelites to feel the awe of His presence and hear His voice. He wanted to remind them of who He was, and He wanted to restore their trust in their leaders, Moses and Aaron.
The people had to spend several days preparing to be in the presence of God. They had to make sure that they were physically clean and mentally prepared. They were given limits as to how close they could approach Him. Even the priests were given limits. And if they disobeyed, the consequence was death. God was serious about obedience and respect.
This was not just another day in the wilderness. God told Moses to bring Aaron up to the mountaintop with him, and the people waited with great anticipation.
think about it...
What would you have been thinking at this point at the base of the mountain?
How do you approach God?
Do you approach Him as the Almighty?
Have you ever been in awe of His presence? When?
Have you ever heard His voice?
Do you respect the limits He has placed or do you ignore His guidelines and do what you want?
Is God still as serious today about obedience and respect?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
February 27...
Exodus 15:22-17:16
Grumbling vs. Asking It’s all in your words and your tone of voice. Have you ever noticed that it is not necessarily what you say or what you ask for, but how you ask, that impacts your success? What would the Israelites have done if they had not had Moses to intercede for them? They grumbled and quarreled against Moses and asked the question that would not die (even for 40 years!!) “Why did you bring us out of Egypt?” Moses had to have an incredible love for God and for the Israelites to be able to continue to have compassion for these people! He warned them that they did not grumble against him, but against God – and yet, he petitioned God on their behalf. And God responded. His response is summed up in Exodus 15:26 “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees …” God wanted a response from them – other than grumbling and quarreling. For 40 years, God forced the Israelites to rely on Him for survival – for food and water. And instead of being thankful and asking when they were in need, they grumbled. The grumbled to the point of wanting to stone Moses!! But Moses relied on God. He trusted God and interceded for the people. He knew that he was not in charge and that all of the power and strength came from God – he could do nothing apart from God. Sound like Jesus? Jesus has to have had an incredible amount of love for God and us to be able to have compassion for us when we are unlovable. Do we continually test God? Are we grateful or do we grumble against our leaders? If so, we grumble against God. Do we quarrel with each other? Do we ask nicely or do we demand to have our way? God’s response and His desire for us is the same as His response and desire for the Israelites: “Listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees …” think about it...
Grumbling vs. Asking It’s all in your words and your tone of voice. Have you ever noticed that it is not necessarily what you say or what you ask for, but how you ask, that impacts your success? What would the Israelites have done if they had not had Moses to intercede for them? They grumbled and quarreled against Moses and asked the question that would not die (even for 40 years!!) “Why did you bring us out of Egypt?” Moses had to have an incredible love for God and for the Israelites to be able to continue to have compassion for these people! He warned them that they did not grumble against him, but against God – and yet, he petitioned God on their behalf. And God responded. His response is summed up in Exodus 15:26 “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees …” God wanted a response from them – other than grumbling and quarreling. For 40 years, God forced the Israelites to rely on Him for survival – for food and water. And instead of being thankful and asking when they were in need, they grumbled. The grumbled to the point of wanting to stone Moses!! But Moses relied on God. He trusted God and interceded for the people. He knew that he was not in charge and that all of the power and strength came from God – he could do nothing apart from God. Sound like Jesus? Jesus has to have had an incredible amount of love for God and us to be able to have compassion for us when we are unlovable. Do we continually test God? Are we grateful or do we grumble against our leaders? If so, we grumble against God. Do we quarrel with each other? Do we ask nicely or do we demand to have our way? God’s response and His desire for us is the same as His response and desire for the Israelites: “Listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees …” think about it...
Monday, January 26, 2009
January 26...
Exodus 13-15
think about it...
God commanded the Isrealites to dedicate the firstborn of everything to him. Why do you think the first born was important?
if you dedicate the firstborn, is there any assurance you will have "another one"?
is there any assurance the next one will be "just as good"?
what did God ask abraham to do?
what part of our lives does God ask us to dedicate to Him?
what does L1 and L2 say about what parts we should dedicate to God?
if there was a national search going on for a teen or adult whose life is "dedicated to God" (it's been set aside for God and His purposes)... you YOU be chosen? would you even be asked for an interview?
have you ever written a song thanking God for your life, your blessings, His deliverance?
have you recorded anywhere, written or otherwise, what God has done in your life?
think about it...
God commanded the Isrealites to dedicate the firstborn of everything to him. Why do you think the first born was important?
if you dedicate the firstborn, is there any assurance you will have "another one"?
is there any assurance the next one will be "just as good"?
what did God ask abraham to do?
what part of our lives does God ask us to dedicate to Him?
what does L1 and L2 say about what parts we should dedicate to God?
if there was a national search going on for a teen or adult whose life is "dedicated to God" (it's been set aside for God and His purposes)... you YOU be chosen? would you even be asked for an interview?
have you ever written a song thanking God for your life, your blessings, His deliverance?
have you recorded anywhere, written or otherwise, what God has done in your life?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
January 25...
Exodus 11-12
think about it...
Where do you see symbolism of Jesus?
Why did there have to be blood spilled (child or lamb)?
think about it...
Where do you see symbolism of Jesus?
Why did there have to be blood spilled (child or lamb)?
Friday, January 23, 2009
january 24...
Exodus 9-10
An Internal Struggle
Although Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened – God is getting through to some of Pharaoh’s officials. Exodus 9:20 tells us that “officials of Pharaoh who feared the word o the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside”.
Finally, even Pharaoh admitted that he was wrong and had sinned and that God was right. He made a promise to God, but then he immediately went back to his old ways. And God’s response? “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?”
Pharaoh then began negotiating with God. He wanted to obey God, but on his terms – and the result? Devastation … and, finally, darkness. No sun. No light for THREE days!
The Egyptian god, Ra, was “seen” in the sun and was believed to rule the sky, the earth, and the underworld. Where had their god gone? Had he deserted them? And, why did the Israelites have sunlight? It was obvious – their God was superior to even Ra.
Pharaoh found himself in darkness and he completely shut off communication with God through Moses and Aaron.
The internal struggle is evident. It is a pride issue. It is a faith issue. Pharaoh was prideful and placed his faith in things other than the one, true God. He put himself on the same plane with God and argued with Him, negotiated with Him, refused to humble himself before Him, and ultimately, rejected Him.
This happens even today when we refuse to humble ourselves before Him and allow our hearts to harden. Devastation happens – darkness comes … and when we stop our communication with Him … well, that is a very scary place to be.
Is your heart hard? Pray for Him to soften it.
Are you prideful – wanting to be obedient on your terms? Humble yourself before Him.
Is your world dark? Have you talked to Him lately? Don’t wait. Don’t risk it.
Call on Him right now.
think about it...
ok... put the little kids to bed. here's the tough question: what happened to pharaoe's free will?
An Internal Struggle
Although Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened – God is getting through to some of Pharaoh’s officials. Exodus 9:20 tells us that “officials of Pharaoh who feared the word o the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside”.
Finally, even Pharaoh admitted that he was wrong and had sinned and that God was right. He made a promise to God, but then he immediately went back to his old ways. And God’s response? “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?”
Pharaoh then began negotiating with God. He wanted to obey God, but on his terms – and the result? Devastation … and, finally, darkness. No sun. No light for THREE days!
The Egyptian god, Ra, was “seen” in the sun and was believed to rule the sky, the earth, and the underworld. Where had their god gone? Had he deserted them? And, why did the Israelites have sunlight? It was obvious – their God was superior to even Ra.
Pharaoh found himself in darkness and he completely shut off communication with God through Moses and Aaron.
The internal struggle is evident. It is a pride issue. It is a faith issue. Pharaoh was prideful and placed his faith in things other than the one, true God. He put himself on the same plane with God and argued with Him, negotiated with Him, refused to humble himself before Him, and ultimately, rejected Him.
This happens even today when we refuse to humble ourselves before Him and allow our hearts to harden. Devastation happens – darkness comes … and when we stop our communication with Him … well, that is a very scary place to be.
Is your heart hard? Pray for Him to soften it.
Are you prideful – wanting to be obedient on your terms? Humble yourself before Him.
Is your world dark? Have you talked to Him lately? Don’t wait. Don’t risk it.
Call on Him right now.
think about it...
ok... put the little kids to bed. here's the tough question: what happened to pharaoe's free will?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 23...
Exodus 8
Superstition
Frogs. Why frogs?! Frogs were the symbol of life and fertility – and the Egyptian goddess, Heqet. Isn’t it interesting that after God made the frogs overtake the land – Pharaoh’s magicians made more frogs!! I often have wondered, why didn’t they make the frogs go away?
Even if they could have made them disappear, it would have been like taking away a “good luck charm” from a very superstitious person. It would have been very bad to go against the frog-goddess, Heqet. The Egyptians put their faith in these symbols – and God gave them so much good luck that it was horribly inconvenient!!
It was so horrible that Pharaoh asked for Moses to pray that God would take them away – and He did – in His timing – and His way. He didn’t just make them disappear. He let them die. He took life from the symbol of life – and what remained was a bunch of frog carcasses and it smelled! And God showed that He was superior to the frog-goddess, Heqet.
Are you superstitious? Do you believe in symbols of good luck? Do you make decisions based on the stars? We worship the creator of the stars – the one who is and always will be. He is not a man made image.
Where do you put your faith? Do your actions back up your answer?
Superstition
Frogs. Why frogs?! Frogs were the symbol of life and fertility – and the Egyptian goddess, Heqet. Isn’t it interesting that after God made the frogs overtake the land – Pharaoh’s magicians made more frogs!! I often have wondered, why didn’t they make the frogs go away?
Even if they could have made them disappear, it would have been like taking away a “good luck charm” from a very superstitious person. It would have been very bad to go against the frog-goddess, Heqet. The Egyptians put their faith in these symbols – and God gave them so much good luck that it was horribly inconvenient!!
It was so horrible that Pharaoh asked for Moses to pray that God would take them away – and He did – in His timing – and His way. He didn’t just make them disappear. He let them die. He took life from the symbol of life – and what remained was a bunch of frog carcasses and it smelled! And God showed that He was superior to the frog-goddess, Heqet.
Are you superstitious? Do you believe in symbols of good luck? Do you make decisions based on the stars? We worship the creator of the stars – the one who is and always will be. He is not a man made image.
Where do you put your faith? Do your actions back up your answer?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
January 22...
Exodus 5-7
It Is Not About You
It took courage to be obedient. Moses and Aaron stepped out to do what God asked them to do … and the response, well, let’s just say it was less than cheerful or overwhelming! Do you think that Moses and Aaron were discouraged? Do you think that they had second thoughts about being obedient and trying to help these oppressed (and unappreciative) people?
Instead they had compassion for the Israelites and the trouble inflected upon them because of their obedience. All of this doesn’t make sense … until you read chapter 6, verse 1. Read it again.
“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh…” as if to say – “Moses, Aaron, … Hey guys, it’s not about you. You are my valuable servants, but this is about revealing the Almighty God.” Count how many times God says “I” in verses 1-8 in chapter 6. Clearly, this is about who God is and what He is going to do.
As we enter into the time of the plagues, remember two important things.
First, the first nine plagues were all known to have happened naturally in ancient Egypt; however, the fact that they were selective and only impacted the Egyptian territory and spared the Israelites was amazing. Also, all nine plagues happened within the span of a year which not only made it more devastating, but marked them as miracles performed by God.
Second, we see that God did not randomly choose these plagues. Exodus 12:12 says the He will “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt”.
The first plague, turning the Nile to blood, demonstrated that God had power over the Egyptian god Hapi (the Nile River) who was said to provide and sustain life. When God turned the waters of the Nile to blood – the god’s ability to provide life ended – proving the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was superior.
think about it...
It Is Not About You
It took courage to be obedient. Moses and Aaron stepped out to do what God asked them to do … and the response, well, let’s just say it was less than cheerful or overwhelming! Do you think that Moses and Aaron were discouraged? Do you think that they had second thoughts about being obedient and trying to help these oppressed (and unappreciative) people?
Instead they had compassion for the Israelites and the trouble inflected upon them because of their obedience. All of this doesn’t make sense … until you read chapter 6, verse 1. Read it again.
“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh…” as if to say – “Moses, Aaron, … Hey guys, it’s not about you. You are my valuable servants, but this is about revealing the Almighty God.” Count how many times God says “I” in verses 1-8 in chapter 6. Clearly, this is about who God is and what He is going to do.
As we enter into the time of the plagues, remember two important things.
First, the first nine plagues were all known to have happened naturally in ancient Egypt; however, the fact that they were selective and only impacted the Egyptian territory and spared the Israelites was amazing. Also, all nine plagues happened within the span of a year which not only made it more devastating, but marked them as miracles performed by God.
Second, we see that God did not randomly choose these plagues. Exodus 12:12 says the He will “bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt”.
The first plague, turning the Nile to blood, demonstrated that God had power over the Egyptian god Hapi (the Nile River) who was said to provide and sustain life. When God turned the waters of the Nile to blood – the god’s ability to provide life ended – proving the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was superior.
think about it...
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 21st...
Exodus 3-4
think about it...
think about it...
in verses 6-10, why is it that God is calling moses? why is God doing something about the isrealites condition?
does God still hear the cries of people?
does God still call, prepare, and send people to save those in trouble?
has God ever blessed you by sending someone to "save the day" for you?
has God ever used you to bring His Love and help into someone else's life?
does God want moses to demonstrate his own power, or God's power?
does moses try to get out of the call?
do you ever try to get out of situations that God could use you in?
whose power does God want you to use?
check out john 15:5 and matthew 28:18-20
Monday, January 19, 2009
January 20th...
I find it interesting that on Monday's reading, we began reading about Martin Luther King Jr... who felt God had put him at the right place to lead "his people" out of oppression... hmmm... he experienced, and saw a people who were oppressed, and he stood up for what was right. he sought justice. God used him.
think about it...
in verses 11-15, you see moses is easily angered by injustice, especially when someone is being unjustly treated...
what did moses' decision cost him? did he become a hero? did he get a parade or an escort out of town?
in verses 16-20... what do you see? is his attitude the same or has it changed?
in verses 22-24... who is moved by injustice?
is helping the oppressed close to God's heart?
is helping the oppressed close to your heart?
what does it cost you to stand up for what's right?
have you ever stood up for someone who cannot "pay you back" (by doing a favor for you, by making you more popular, by giving you something... they just can't repay you)?
have you ever oppressed someone (teasing, gossip, bullying)?
there were so many options on youtube for the song "if we are the body"... but i'm choosing this one, because i think it speaks very strongly to teens...
if you are the one being oppressed... bullied... teased... or ignored... remember what God did with the cries of His children: He heard them and He remembered His promise"!
check out this video if you need to be reminded of that...
January 19th...
Exodus 1-2
think about it...
what would your reaction be if our president ordered our babies to be killed?
would you comply... would you resist... would you help others resist or comply? why what's the big deal?
what did the two women do? why did they do that? because they were jewish or because of L1? L2? (matthew 22:36-41)
what do we see here as far as the value of life?
how do God's people respond to the value of a babies life?
how does moses' mom's actions reflect the value of life?
did she know what she was doing or was it by chance that the child was discovered by the princess?
Friday, January 16, 2009
January 18th...
Genesis 46-50
think about it...
Do you honor your parents and grandparents wishes?
Have you ever needed a new beginning?
What are the advantages of Jacob and his family's new beginning?
Reading the end of the story of Joseph... what parts of the story do you think he would have changed?
What part of the story would you change about your own life?
Would your decision now about changing something about your life be different than if you were looking back at this exact day 50 years from now? Why or how? Or why not?
What would a new beginning to your life "cost" you right now... cost you in your present and in your future?
Check out Romans 8:28... what does that verse say to you, and to Joseph's story...?
January 17h...
Genesis 43-45
Lets look at some of the same questions from yesterday...
Does revenge taste good? Is there such a thing as sweet revenge?
What do you think kept Joseph from killing his brothers?
What kind of love do you think Joseph is thinking about? "I love you IF" love, "I love you BECAUSE" love, or "I love you IN SPITE OF" love?
Which kind of love would your heart be wrestling with if you were Joseph?
Have you ever stopped and thought of which kind of love God has for you? Check out Romans 5:8... what do you think?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
January 16th...
Genesis 42-43
Yesterday we read about Joseph becoming very “Egyptian”. Egyptians did not care for or trust Hebrews, so Pharaoh needed Joseph to appear Egyptian if he was going to be in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph was given an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah. He received a wife who was the daughter of a prominent Egyptian man, and they were blessed with two sons. Even though everything on the outside seemed Egyptian, we know that Joseph held on to his Hebrew roots because he gave his sons Hebrew names.
So here he was at the top … he had a new life, a new name, a new wife, children, wealth, power … basically he could have anything he wanted. And then the unexpected happened – ten Hebrew men showed up and requested food.
A flood of emotions had to hit Joseph: disbelief, shock, fear, distrust, anger, revenge, concern. He was in a position to reject them and let them die or throw them in prison. He knew that if they discovered who he was and others discovered that he was a Hebrew, he ran the risk of losing his position and power.
Joseph’s responses show many of these emotions. He was in disbelief and shocked when they showed up and bowed to him and the dream came true. He did not reveal his true identity to them out of fear and distrust. He accused them of being spies and threatened them, but then questioned them about his father and younger brother. But, finally, after being flooded with all of these emotions, he acted with compassion.
When Joseph heard Reuben talking to the other brothers about trying to stop their plot it brought him to tears. Why? Joseph had everything that a person could want, but deep in his heart he had buried the pain of betrayal. He had buried the sorrow of missing his family and his home. He had pains deep within his soul. He kept them covered up in the new reality of his world, but when he was confronted with the truth, they resurfaced.
think about it...
Where are you today?
Do you have hurts that are buried deep in your heart? Have you kept them covered up? Share them with God.
Do you have a flood of emotions going through your heart? Which will you act on – those that honor God or those that can destroy?
Yesterday we read about Joseph becoming very “Egyptian”. Egyptians did not care for or trust Hebrews, so Pharaoh needed Joseph to appear Egyptian if he was going to be in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph was given an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah. He received a wife who was the daughter of a prominent Egyptian man, and they were blessed with two sons. Even though everything on the outside seemed Egyptian, we know that Joseph held on to his Hebrew roots because he gave his sons Hebrew names.
So here he was at the top … he had a new life, a new name, a new wife, children, wealth, power … basically he could have anything he wanted. And then the unexpected happened – ten Hebrew men showed up and requested food.
A flood of emotions had to hit Joseph: disbelief, shock, fear, distrust, anger, revenge, concern. He was in a position to reject them and let them die or throw them in prison. He knew that if they discovered who he was and others discovered that he was a Hebrew, he ran the risk of losing his position and power.
Joseph’s responses show many of these emotions. He was in disbelief and shocked when they showed up and bowed to him and the dream came true. He did not reveal his true identity to them out of fear and distrust. He accused them of being spies and threatened them, but then questioned them about his father and younger brother. But, finally, after being flooded with all of these emotions, he acted with compassion.
When Joseph heard Reuben talking to the other brothers about trying to stop their plot it brought him to tears. Why? Joseph had everything that a person could want, but deep in his heart he had buried the pain of betrayal. He had buried the sorrow of missing his family and his home. He had pains deep within his soul. He kept them covered up in the new reality of his world, but when he was confronted with the truth, they resurfaced.
think about it...
Where are you today?
Do you have hurts that are buried deep in your heart? Have you kept them covered up? Share them with God.
Do you have a flood of emotions going through your heart? Which will you act on – those that honor God or those that can destroy?
Does revenge taste good? Is there such a thing as sweet revenge?
What do you think kept Joseph from killing his brothers?
What kind of love do you think Joseph is thinking about? "I love you IF" love, "I love you BECAUSE" love, or "I love you IN SPITE OF" love?
Which kind of love would your heart be wrestling with?
Have you ever stopped and thought of which kind of love God has for you? Which kind of love He has HELD you with?
Go turn the music off by pressing the pause button on the "playlist" to the right... so you can watch this awesome video (different than the video on the 15th):
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
January 15...
this is a good video... the potiphar's wife scene in this video doesn't depict the biblical account... and it's a big part of the story to get right. the rest of the video puts some flesh on the rest of the story... check it out... turn the music off on the playlist to the right (just hit pause)
Dreams were often seen as supernatural messages, and many ancient cultures placed great emphasis on dreams. Advisors were part of the ruler’s top aides and were expected to be able to interpret dreams.
Imagine – Joseph sitting in prison for something he didn’t do … contemplating life. He had it good when he was Jacob’s favorite son, but his brothers’ jealousy led to him being sold into slavery. Even in slavery he had it good because he was Potiphar’s favorite. Then he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and ended up in prison. In prison he became the favorite of the prison warden. Even in tough times he remained faithful to God, but his situation continually goes downhill. Can it get any worse that being a slave in prison?
A glimpse of hope comes after he interprets two dreams and the cupbearer returns to Pharaoh. Two years pass and nothing has happened, but then…
What are the odds? The cupbearer is going about his daily duties. The Pharaoh has a dream. None of the advisors can interpret it, but the cupbearer has a revelation – a memory – about a dream interpreter in prison! Coincidence or God’s providence?
God takes Joseph from the lowest place – a prison for slaves – and raises him up to the highest position in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. And it happens in A DAY!!
think about it...
Coincidence or God’s providence?
Does this happen today? Does God put things in motion to have an impact years later?
Joseph was extremely patient, humble, and obedient, and God continued to protect him. God prepared a place for Joseph to serve Him in a mighty way.
Are you patient when things seem to go wrong?
Do you trust that God is in control?
Do you believe that it is a coincidence or God’s providence when things happen?
How would it affect your attitude and actions if you completely believed in God’s providence?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 14...
How many times have you heard these stories? Let's take another look at them...
How do you feel when someone on the team gets special treatment from your coach? What if their special treatment means your loss?
Do you sit by when others are being wronged? I saw a John Quinones special last night on "PrimeTime"... he was doing a special study on when people were stealing gas from others at the pump and watching gaging onlookers' reactions. Many just sat by and watched it happened. 3 people confronted the theif out of many who watched it happen over and over. What's your gut feeling? What do you do in those situations?
If nobody sees it... it isn't wrong right? If two adults want to have sex, you know... two "consentual partners" (I believe that's the legal term), whose business is it to say what's right or wrong? Did Joseph need a witness to determine if what he was doing was right or wrong? Gen 39:8-9
Favoritism breeds jealousy. Arrogance breeds jealousy. And, jealousy breeds hatred and wickedness.
Jacob showed favoritism toward Joseph. We still see favoritism today with parents, teachers, friends, etc. If you are the “favored one” it is hard to find anything wrong with it. However, if you have been the “other one” then you have probably struggled with jealousy and bitterness toward the favored person as well as frustration and disappointment toward the one showing favoritism.
It is hard to know whether Joseph was arrogant or ignorant. It seems he could have been arrogant in the way that he wore his special coat around his brothers and the way that he told the dreams with everyone bowing down to him. Even Jacob was upset with Joseph’s telling of the dream. If arrogance was the case, he completely disregarded how his actions made others feel. On the other hand, he could have just been ignorant, oblivious, or for the lack of a better word, clueless. He might have had no idea how his being favored affected others. Regardless, he was unaware of how his situation, his attitude, and his actions were affecting those around him.
think about it:
Do you show favoritism?
Do you have bitterness, jealousy, anger, disappointment, or frustration because of favoritism?
Are you so caught up in your world, that you are clueless to how your attitude and your actions affect others?
If so, how can you make things right in your heart and honor God?
Two other observations: mob-mentality and false accusations.
It is an amazing phenomenon that is referred to as “mob mentality”. People will do things in a group that they would not have done on their own. The problem is – just by being part of the group all parties are guilty of the wrong doing. Reuben was the only one who tried to stop the brothers. Think about your group. Would you speak up if they were contemplating doing something wrong or would you go along with the mob?
False accusations are everywhere in our world today. It seems that the idea of “innocent until proven guilty” has gone out the window. We now believe anything that is said to be truth! Joseph was put in jail because someone lied about him and people just believed it. Be careful. Don’t believe gossip. Don’t spread gossip. Give people the benefit of the doubt and seek the truth. Don’t judge based on empty words, you might just falsely judge an innocent man.
We see Joseph in the same position his dad, Jacob, was in: "down and out" almost... But God's word says that He was with Joseph. In the good times and the bad ones... check it out! Read that again... does that make you hopeful?
Monday, January 12, 2009
January 13...
Jacob continues on his journey home both physically and spiritually.
First, we see him wrestle with God. He sees God face to face, and God continues to transform him.
Second, Jacob makes amends with his brother, Essau, whom he had cheated. He shares with him the blessings that the Lord had given him. What a great place to be – to be able to say, “God has been gracious to me and I have all that I need” and then trust enough to give some of those blessings away.
Third, Jacob tries to be the spiritual leader by telling everyone in his household to get rid of foreign gods and purify themselves. He takes a stand for what is right and what glorifies God.
Finally, Jacob tells his story. He shares his experiences with those around him so that they may join him on the journey.
God called Jacob home, and He calls each of us home today, too.
think about it:
Where are you on your spiritual journey?
Are you currently wrestling with God?
Are you letting Him continue to transform you?
If God said, to have my blessing, your life will have to change... you will look and live different than those around you... would you let Him bless you?
One of the parts of the wrestling match that intreagues me is when Jacob grabs his ankle. The match is over... Jacob is lying on the ground, and the angel has finally finished Jacob off... then Jacob, probably bloody faced and glassy eyed, is laying on the ground... yet he lunges one last time for the ankle. He is desperate. He doesn't have time to stand up and ask for anything. He desperately grabs whatever he can and asks for a blessing.
How desperate are you for God in your life? Are you waiting till your all ready and looking good and can stand on your own? Or are you willing to just grasp for God and say... please bless me?
Have you made things right with people you have offended?
Are you content and can truly say, “God has been gracious to me and I have all that I need”?
Can you trust God enough to share your blessings with others?
Are you being a spiritual leader and taking a stand for what is right and what glorifies God?
Do you tell your experiences from your spiritual journey to those around you?
Do you encourage people to join you on this journey of spiritual transformation?
Jacob was a travelling man... he left in a bad way, and it's hard to go home like that. You feel the guilt, you feel the rejection, you don't know if there will be forgiveness, it's in the back of your mind... listen to this song by DecembeRadio (they'll be at Winterfest) and see if you've ever felt like this.
(Turn off the player on the upper right side, by pressing the pause button, so you can hear this song)
DecembeRadio - "Drifter"
I used to have a home.
A place I started from. A place to call
my own bright lights and late nights. The
devil took me on a midnight ride.
Left me out in the desert on my own.
Now I feel alone
I need a hand to help me find my way back home.
I'm a drifter out on a dead end road
trying to find my way back home
to get to you
Oh to get to you
Lord I've been gone for far too long,
headed to places I don't belong
and I've got to get back
home to you. Sometimes I think about the past
and the road that I was on, the one that lead me home
I'll walk on another day
I may wander but I'll never stray, cause I found out the hard way
sin don't pay.
Now I feel alone, I need a hand to help me
find my way back home
I'm a drifter out on a dead end road
trying to find my way back home
to get to you
Oh to get to you
Lord I've been gone for far too long
headed to places I don't belong
and I've got to get back home to you
and when I feel the night is closing in
and I can barely breathe the air
I just remember that I've got a friend
who really cares
Oh who really cares
I'm a drifter out on a dead end road
trying to find my way back home
to get to you
Oh to get to you
Lord I've been gone for far too long
headed to places I don't belong
and I've got to get back home to you
Sunday, January 11, 2009
January 12...
First, Rebekah helps Jacob deceive his father. Then, Laban, Rebekah’s brother, is deceitful to Jacob. And, now, Rachel is deceitful by stealing her father’s idols. Even more disturbing, Rachel puts faith in those idols to protect her family instead of God.
Yet, Jacob remains faithful and obedient to God.
The twenty years described by Jacob don’t sound too pleasant. He was repeatedly treated unfairly. His environment was very uncomfortable. His situation was far from ideal. Yet he did not lose faith and remained obedient to God.
think about it:
conflict. how does it make you feel?
is it easier to run away from the conflict, or face it?
could one of the shortcuts we talked about in the days past be choosing running away from conflict instead of seeking resolution?
do you ignore conflict or do you seek forgiveness?
what if when Jesus says "i came so that you may have life, and have it to the fullest"... what if he's inviting us to a lifestyle of no short cuts. what if he's inviting us to a life of freedom from grudges, hatred, and judging? what if the way of forgiveness, truth, acceptance could eliminate other problems?
jacob chose the shortcut, and caused trouble between him and laban, and gave rachel the opportunity to turn to idols. do you see that, or is that all circumstantial...?
How is it that we have bought into the idea that because we are a Christian or because we are obedient to God, everything is going to be easy? Was it easy for Jacob? Was it easy for Jesus? Why should it be easy for us?
When is God seen the most – when things are going well for us or when we are in tough times?
Does this idea affect how you might approach tough times in the future?
“Every action that we take affects someone’s faith. It either brings them closer to Jesus or it drives them further away.” -- Unknown
Saturday, January 10, 2009
January 11th...
Check out the picture below (of Jacob's ladder) in the January 10th entry...
There's another set of scriptures below... check them out too!
Jacob had dishonestly taken Esau’s blessing and had the family birthright and inheritance, but he was not able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his dishonesty because he was having to run away from his family. He had been manipulating everything and trying to do it himself. He tired and weary and it is getting dark. As he stops to rest, he finds God – not that he was looking for Him. He is in the middle of nowhere, it is dark, he is weary – and God shows up. God directly gives Jacob the promise, and Jacob makes a monumental observation: “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”
Isn’t this where many of us find ourselves today? Don’t we often go through each day unaware of God’s presence?
Do you feel like spiritually you are in the middle of nowhere?
Are you trying to do everything yourself?
Is the pathway dark?
Are you weary?
Be ready …. God will show up.
And our response should be that of Jacob’s. He worships God and makes a promise of faithfulness to Him, and God began a transformation in Jacob.
Wow... is this happening in Arkansas?
Obviously many years pass in these two chapters – two wives, many children, and more deception. But this time Jacob is on the losing side of the deception, and instead of answering it with more manipulation and trickery, he handles it as a man of God … and God blesses him.
think about it:
Can God use you and bless your life even when you are not following Him?
Does God hold to His promise to Abraham? Inspite of what his descendants are doing?
When someone asks you to take a short cut to a "better (whatever - you name it)" other than what God has promised... do you take it?
Does the short cut make things better? Complicate things?
Is the short cut a sign of unbelief that God can come through?
Did you stop and think to yourself while reading these parts today "these are some strange family dynamics"?
January10th...
Its an interesting cast of characters: (1) Esau who had such contempt for God that he is willing to give up his birthright and subsequently the covenant promise God made to Abraham for a bowl of stew; (2) Jacob who dresses up and flat out lies to his father about his identity to steal the blessing that rightfully belonged to the first-born son; and (3) Rebekah who shows such favoritism that she is willing to be cursed just so her favored son might receive the blessing.
Then after the deception, we see hostility and hatred breed inside of Esau to the point where once again we see “sin crouching at the door”. He fully intends on murdering his brother – it sounds like Cain and Abel all over again.
Did God choose Jacob or was the blessing passed down through him only as a result of deception? If Rebekah had not chosen to take things into her own hands, would Isaac still have given Jacob the blessing? If you had to choose between Esau and Jacob as to who would receive the blessing, which would you choose? Why?
think about it:
Who are you most like? Are you like Esau who was willing to give up something of great value simply to meet an immediate physical need? Do you lose sight of what God has promised to give you eternally so that you can satisfy your earthly desires today? Are you like Jacob who changed who he was on the outside in order to get what he wanted? Do you change how you look, how you talk, and how you act in order to fit in with a certain group? Or are you like Rebekah who showed favoritism? Do you treat people differently based on your personal assessment of their worth?
Why did God choose Jacob? Why has he chosen you? He has chosen you – check out John 15:9, Eph 1:11, Col 3:12, and I Peter 2:9. What will your response be?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
January 9th...
It is not expected for you to be close friends with everyone. There are just some people that are annoying or get on your nerves. There are some you don’t have anything in common with. And, there are some you simply don’t get along with. There are some people that you have had a bad experience with and hostility emerges between you. Any names coming to mind?
If you don’t like someone, is it okay to be rude to them? If someone has “done you wrong”, do you have the right to retaliate? If you are threatened by someone, do you have the right to treat them disrespectfully?
Today we read about three different sets of people who had “issues” between them. Let’s see what we can learn from them…
First, we have the two nations that came from Ishmael and Isaac. We are told that the two brothers came together and buried their father, Abraham. But we are also told that the descendants of Ishmael lived in hostility toward all their brothers. As this has played out in our world today, does the relationship between these two groups o people matter?
Second, we learn of two nations that would come from Rebekah’s twins: Esau would father the Edomites and Jacob would father the Israelites. Jealousy and insecurity between these brothers set the stage for hostility between them. As we read through the Old Testament, we will see this hostile relationship over and over for many generations. Even when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt they asked to pass through the land of the Edomites and were told “no”.Finally, we Isaac living in the land of the Philistines. Abimelech asks him to leave because he has become too powerful. Isaac did not try to use his power for what he thought he deserved or what was “right”, he trusted God and left. God continued to bless him and Isaac remained faithful. Interestingly enough, Abimelech seeks out Isaac. At this point, did Isaac have the right to be rude, disrespectful, or hostile? Did he? Who was honored because of his actions?
The natural response is to return hostility with hostility – to defend your right. Be careful, when you respond like everyone else – no on will take notice. When you respond in defense of yourself – the focus is on you. When you respond trusting God and being obedient to Him – the focus is on Him – so much so that even non-God fearing people like the Philistines recognized that He was LORD.
think about it:
In the reading we see two things that Isaac does that his father did, what were they?
How do family patterns or traits get passed down?
Do you believe everything your parents say?
Do you do everything your parents do?
Ask your parents: "What is something your parents did that you said you'd never do... and now you do it anyways?"
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January 8th...
Click on the verse above, when you get to the page, you can change versions, or read chapter 25, too.
Where to bury a loved one, who to marry, where to live … questions that are all part of everyday life. Abraham kept his focus on God and let the everyday decisions be directed by Him. He trusted that just as God had provided the lamb for the sacrifice … if he was obedient and trusted God, He would provide a burial place, a wife for Isaac, and a place to live.
Many Christians today get focused on the details of their decisions, and they create an enormous amount of stress in their own lives. What would it look like if they placed God first, put the decisions before Him, and trusted that He would provide?
Did Abraham become inactive in the decisions? No. He negotiated and paid the price for the burial site. He set parameters, guidelines, and expectations for Isaac’s wife. He believed that God would provide if he honored God in his actions. And God did.
Ok... so I'm not a big wikipedia fan... but here's some related info. BTW... always double or triple check any info on wiki! CLICK HERE to find out more about the image below...
think about it:What decisions are facing you today? How do you need to put God first and trust Him? What actions do you need to take in order to demonstrate your trust in Him? He truly cares about your day to day “stuff”. The question is: Will you trust Him enough to let Him provide for you and direct your decisions?
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