Build an Ark

Build an Ark

Exodus 25: ¹⁰ “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. ¹¹ And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. ¹² You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. ¹³ And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. ¹⁴ You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. ¹⁵ The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. ¹⁶ And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

 

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GOD told Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. HE gave specific instructions on how to build the ark.

 

My Observations:

• Gold is a special metal that GOD instructed them to use.
• This is the third and final ark of the Bible.
• GOD told Moses to build an ark, but did not tell him what to put in it yet.

 

First there was Noah’s ark. Then Jochebed mad an ark to save Moses. Now GOD instructed Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. The first two arks were used for a short-term, highly valuable mission to save one or more people. But this ark would be used for decades.

 

The builders of the ark could touch the wood and the gold without harming themselves. But when the ark was filled with the items GOD wanted in there, the ark would become deadly. This ark was to be handled properly and with holy wisdom.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS instructions to build the ark of the Testimony?
• Has GOD given you specific instructions?
• What is GOD telling you to build?

Mindsets Addressed by GOD

Mindsets Addressed by GOD

Exodus 14: ²⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” ²⁷ And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. ²⁸ Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. ²⁹ But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

 

³⁰ So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. ³¹ Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.

 

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When GOD took the wheels off of their chariots, the Egyptians were filled with fear and tried to turn around from their pursuit of the children of Israel. They may have gotten close to them but fear made them turn around. Moses held up his hand again and the sea returned to its full depth.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wiped out the last thing the Egyptians had, namely a mindset of power.
• The Egyptian mindset of believing in humans as gods was wiped out by GOD.
• The children of Israel heard Moses before the plagues, saw the miracles that would be performed, saw the actual plagues happen, but did not believe until they saw the Egyptian army killed by the Red Sea.

 

Mindsets can help our free will or attack it. The children of Israel were so used to being slaves, that they could not see GOD for who HE was. They cried for help and GOD came. They watched GOD take down Egypt. They left. But it wasn’t until the sea swallowed up the army that they believed in the LORD and they believed in Moses. We treat GOD the same.

 

Our limiting beliefs can limit what GOD can do in our lives. HE does not force HIMSELF on us, rather stands back and knocks on our hearts. If we let HIM in, then HE can do amazing things. GOD allowed Pharaoh to think he was a god. GOD hardened Pharaoh’s heart by simply letting him think he was in charge. All of Egypt fell because GOD saw that his heart would not change. GOD did just as HE promised.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about how HE wiped out the Egyptian army?
• How many times has GOD rescued you and yet you may still be operating with limiting beliefs of HIM?
• Is there a limiting belief that makes you tentative that GOD can do what HE said HE would do?

Worship Instructions

Worship Instructions

Revelation 22: ⁸ I, John, have heard and seen all these things. And when I finished hearing and seeing them, I fell down at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things, and I was about to worship him. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don't do it! I am a servant together with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all those who obey the words in this book. Worship God!” ¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not keep the prophetic words of this book a secret, because the time is near when all this will happen. ¹¹ Whoever is evil must go on doing evil, and whoever is filthy must go on being filthy; whoever is good must go on doing good, and whoever is holy must go on being holy.”

 

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“Who fixed this?” was the question posed to me as if I did something great! But, it wasn’t me who had done the deed that would receive accolades. “Don’t look at me” was my reply to direct the investigation somewhere else.

 

• I was kind of jealous that I was not going to receive accolades.
• I wanted to be “recognized” but was not worthy of recognition.
• I sought accolades more intentionally from that day on.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, admits to being overwhelmed by what he saw and heard. He wanted to place this overwhelmed feeling somewhere, so he decided to worship the angel who showed him the marvelous, prophetic things that no one else has ever seen. The angel responded very clearly. “Don’t do it!” and “Worship GOD!” He

 

My Observations:

• Humans want accolades and praise, BUT GOD deserves all of our praise!
• Humans try to make a name for themselves, BUT GOD’s name is the one who should be said daily!
• Humans say other humans names more than they  say JESUS, BUT HE is our Savior who should be mentioned with honor.

 

Getting praise where JESUS need to receive it is dangerous. I mean, we should not have false humility, however, we should recognize when JESUS should get the praise versus a human. There is a difference. I can wash dishes and maybe receive praise for it, BUT JESUS is the one who saves people from eternal separation from HIM.

 

GOD handles hearts, not me. HE fixes situations and provides the right resources at the right time. Even “my” talent should be credited to GOD. I also have to let go of people. “evil must go on doing evil.” I gladly give GOD all the praise and honor!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer spoke of himself?
• Have you ever wanted to receive accolades and praise?
• What steps will you take to intentionally surrender and follow what GOD wants you to do today?

Unfiltered Worship

Unfiltered Worship

Revelation 4: ⁹ The four living creatures sing songs of glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever. When they do so, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They throw their crowns down in front of the throne and say,

 

¹¹ “Our Lord and God! You are worthy
    to receive glory, honor, and power.
For you created all things,
    and by your will they were given existence and life.”

 

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“Who are those people gathered in the field?” I asked one of the leaders on the missions trip. “They are people who worship GOD” was the response. They were all wearing white and did not have a building, seats or instruments. Later, we sat in a church. Many people, who had nothing, gathered to sing praise songs. They sang for hours!

 

• I looked at my watch to see when they would be done.
• I enjoyed the singing, but wanted it to be done so we could get on with it!
• I realized, after a while, that I was not really worshipping from my heart, but out of habit.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, hears wonderful songs about JESUS. These songs contained glory, honor and thanks for HIM causing the people who were very important to throw their crowns at HIS feet. They rejoiced and praised HIM for HIS power!

 

My Observations:

• JESUS Is worthy to be praised!
• Sometimes I want to hold back because I want to appear a certain way before humans.
• One day my worship will not be filtered with sin, problems or troubles!

 

Unfiltered worship can only take place in heaven. I mean, when all sin, worries and human structures are torn down, we can celebrate what JESUS has done! All problems will be solved and celebration will happen on a grand scale that lasts forever.

 

Will people get tired of praising JESUS? No! Our sinful minds cannot fathom true worship that lasts forever. We look at our watches and think of boredom if worship lasts longer than three songs. One day my worship for GOD will come out of sheer elation! I will not be embarrassed but filled with joy!

 

Challenge

• How does the writer describe worship?
• Have you ever got so excited about something that you just wanted to shout with joy?
• Will you look beyond problems and praise GOD for what HE has done and is doing and will do in your life?

Ordinary People

Ordinary People

1 Corinthians 14: ¹³ The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what is said. ¹⁴ For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. ¹⁵ What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind. ¹⁶ When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say “Amen” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying. ¹⁷ Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all.

 

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you. ¹⁹ But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.

 

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“Say it in English!” were the words of frustration in response to my statement. I thought I had communicated well, but I spoke using the terminology I was comfortable with. I then realized I was using “tech talk” because that was what I was used to.

 

• Sometimes I may be saying one thing but not explaining myself well.
• Sometimes I may use the words I am comfortable with, but they do not convey what I mean.
• Sometimes I may speak before I understand how this message can be understood.

 

Paul explains that he can speak in many strange tongues, but what good is it if no one understands what is said? He implores people to seek clear communication that is easily understood.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to speak to people with the purpose of everyone being able to praise HIM.
• GOD wants me to value praying with other people when seeking to thank HIM.
• GOD wants me to desire my words to be translated if I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood.

 

Communication is not easy. I mean, I can say one thing and to another person it can mean something else. If I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood, then other people cannot be included. It seems like GOD wants inclusion.

 

HE may give me a gift of being able to speak in another language, but HE wants more people than me to praise HIM. Prayers, singing and thanksgiving are to be shared with one another so GOD will be pleased with all participants. I am glad HE wants me to be part of a group of ordinary people who can worship HIM together.

 

Challenge

• How are prayer, singing and thanksgiving to be shared with other people?
• What benefits do you see in clearly communicating with other people?
• Will you seek ways to teach or communicate to others clearly today?

Valuing the Gift

 

Valuing the Gift

1 Corinthians 2: ¹³ So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit. ¹⁴ Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis. ¹⁵ Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him. ¹⁶ As the scripture says,

 

“Who knows the mind of the Lord?
    Who is able to give him advice?”

 

We, however, have the mind of Christ.

 

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As the expert spoke to me about the car, all I could hear was “Don’t do this and don’t do that” or “Do this and do that.” I just wanted the car. After driving it for a while. Stuff started going wrong. The engine began overheating and the oil light came on. It cost a lot to get it fixed. I did not value the gift of experience he was trying to impart on me.

 

• Many times I did not value words from a gifted person.
• Many times I did not value the gift of wisdom because I was impatient.
• Many times I did not value experience because I just wanted the thing “I” thought was valuable.

 

Paul speaks candidly about spiritual truths. These words are wasted on those who do not value JESUS, rather they focus on human wisdom. Such a person does not understand the words of the SPIRIT because those words can only be valued on a spiritual level. The SPIRIT provides gifts that can only be received by those who believe in JESUS, who gives the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

• GOD says that I am able to judge the value of everything because I believe in JESUS.
• GOD says that I am able to receive the gifts HE has for me because I believe in JESUS.
• GOD says that I am able to teach HIS words because I believe in JESUS.

 

Human wisdom looks at the Word of GOD as nonsense. I mean, GOD can be explained away by human observation. After a while, humans become blind and depend only on what can be seen. BUT GOD blesses those who place their faith in HIM, especially when it does not make sense.

 

“Who knows the mind of the LORD?” “Who is able to give HIM advice?” No one. I am grateful GOD has accepted me into HIS family, placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me and has given me the “mind of CHRIST” so I can receive the gifts of the SPIRIT.

 

1. Do you see all situations through your own wisdom or lusts?
2. Are you worried because of what you cannot see or control?
3. Will you quiet down and ask GOD to open your heart to HIS spiritual truths so the HOLY SPIRIT can enter and teach you gifts that are unimaginable today?

Looking for Grace and Peace

 

Looking for Grace and Peace

1 Corinthians 1: From Paul, who was called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes—

 

² To the church of God which is in Corinth, to all who are called to be God's holy people, who belong to him in union with Christ Jesus, together with all people everywhere who worship our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

 

³ May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

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Sleep eluded me as I felt the pressures of the pending deadline approaching. Day and night I worked but to no avail. I went to sleep, only to wake up thinking about work. I got up and satisfied the needs of the project. I arrived to work exhausted. I turned in the project, on time. “You misspelled some words” were the only comment.

 

• There have been times when I looked for peace after the turmoil.
• There have been times when I thought I could find peace through accomplishments and money.
• There have been times when I sought grace for mistakes I made.

 

Paul seemed to have a special tie to the people of Corinth. He mentioned Sosthenes, a Jewish leader who suffered a beating because he spoke about JESUS and agreed with Paul. Paul knew that those who were called would be ridiculed and persecuted by those who were supposed to be showing the love of GOD. He gives a solution to prepare those who are called.

 

• GOD wants me to seek grace by admitting I need a Savior.
• GOD wants me to seek peace from HIM alone.
• GOD wants me to confess to the FATHER that JESUS is my Savior so HE can send the HOLY SPIRIT to me, who in turn, brings me grace and peace.

 

Grace and peace will always elude me when I am not seeking it from the true source. Humans think a larger bank account or a certain brand of material things will bring peace. BUT GOD is the only source of grace and peace. HE withholds these precious implements from those who do not seek HIM.

 

GOD does something strange. HE pours out grace and peace to those who are called and who are worshipping our LORD JESUS CHRIST. While the world looks on with judgmental wrong labels, GOD gets excited to those who can mention the name of JESUS as their source of grace and peace. I gladly accept GOD’s grace and peace through JESUS who is my Savior.

 

• What do you think would bring you peace?
• Do you think a larger bank account or a better title or another material trinket will bring you peace?
• Have you taken inventory over your stuff to see if you have received grace and peace yet?
• Will you stop pursuing grace and peace “your” way and allow GOD to pour them out on you in abundance only when you surrender your life to JESUS today?

Make Up Our Own Minds

Make Up Our Own Minds

Romans 14: ⁵ Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. ⁶ Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 

 

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“No! It must be this way” one person said to me. Another said “It must be that way”, passionately. I was quite torn over the argument at the time. A group of people had very good arguments for how to dress when attending church.

 

• There were times when I thought “my” way of worshipping GOD was the only way.
• There were times when I thought the music I liked was the only music pleasing to GOD.
• There were times when I thought the decorations, lighting and chairs arranged a certain way were the only way to truly worship GOD.

 

Paul tries to warn people to stay away from petty arguments by dealing with a difficult subject, namely honoring GOD. Some people dedicate a certain day to honor GOD and some think all days should honor GOD. Both are right if they do so to give thanks to the LORD.

 

• GOD wants me to have an individual relationship with HIM.
• GOD wants me to honor HIM by the things I eat and do.
• GOD wants me to give thanks to HIM by believing in JESUS.

 

Honoring GOD is a personal thing. I mean, I like to get up early, pray, exercise, grab a cup of coffee and read. Others like to finish their day singing to the LORD. Any praise that includes thanks for JESUS dying for our sins and being raised from the dead is acceptable to the FATHER. I am glad HE give me a personal relationship with HIM.

 

• Do you think the way your group worships is better than another group?
• Do you judge the way someone sings, dances, or speaks for the LORD?
• Can you learn to appreciate how others are giving thanks to JESUS so you can broaden your community?

Looking for you

John 4: ¹⁶ He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

¹⁹ “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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“Have you ever committed a misdemeanor?” was the scary question on the application. The reason it was scary to me was, I had. I had no money and a pile of parking tickets in a town that would suspend your license for lack of payment. I had to go to work, so I drove and got a huge ticket for driving on a suspended license. Back to the application. I had to answer, “yes.” I got the job anyway.

• Sometimes I want to tell people “It’s not my fault.”
• Sometimes I want to appear righteous in front of people when I really am not.
• Sometimes I want to hide the “truth” so I can appear good.

JESUS confronts the Samaritan woman about her marriage situation. HE may have seen some guy off in the distance, acting like a husband, however husbands act. “Call your husband over” HE said. She told the truth, as painful as it was. “I have no husband” she said. JESUS said “What you have said is quite true.” She was given the opportunity to lie or tell the truth.

• GOD is looking for me in the middle of my sinful state.
• GOD wants a relationship with me before I “clean myself up.”
• GOD is seeking me to have a special relationship with HIM even though I may have many sins.

Truth is hard to admit but worth it. Telling GOD how good  I have been, while complaining that HE hasn’t given me my way is usually a recipe for disaster. GOD wants the truth. HE wants me to worship HIM by telling HIM “I have sinned and need YOU.”

GOD doesn’t need me to be self-righteous. In fact, the more I admit my sins to others, the more others admit their sins to HIM. Truth has given me freedom.

• What sins are you hiding?
• Do you want to appear righteous in front of people so you can hold others to a standard higher than you hold yourself?
• Will you drop the façade and allow GOD to use you in a truthful way today?