Day 35 Is leadership not always the issue?

Moses was taking care of a thousands of Israelites and a managing a multitude of disputes. His father-in-law, Jethro, counseled him to get some help. He did. This issue also comes up in Acts chapter six. Are there not leadership issues anytime we assemble a group of people? Can we imagine leading people prior to the Ten Commandments and wandering in the wilderness? Moses must have been a good leader. He was also wise enough to heed Jethro's advice. (more reading can be found on the September 2006 link under day 35.)

Day 34 "Is keeping the Sabbath not essential?"

If you have participated in Disciple Bible Study, you will remember keeping the Sabbath is a high priority for God's people. In the first days following the triumphant crossing of the Red Sea, Sabbath keeping is one of the first teachings for Israel. They are not to gather manna on the Sabbath but pack enough for two days on the sixth day. How much do we lose in not observing the Sabbath? If we keep the Sabbath, how much do we gain? (More thoughts can be found on day 34 in the September of 2006 link)

Day 33 "Why Grumble when God has a Plan?"

As Israel made their way to the Red Sea, quickly they questioned Moses when they appeared to be in danger. How fickle we are in the human condition! We choose to grumble even when God has something spectacular in mind! Are we any different today? Is there not a symbolic Red Sea parting just ahead? (for more on today's reading go to the link of September 2006 on Day 33)

Day 32 Moving on with questions and trusting in the larger faith journey of deliverance

The readings of the last few days do produce difficult questions to answer...1) Did Pharoah have a choice with his hard heart? 2) What do we make of all the deaths of first borns in the story? Jack B. suggested the most productive path is focusing on the themes that are more easily understood...(like deliverance) Perhaps this is the same with our life..."Is part of the faith journey not moving on (even with questions) trusting God?" Even before we have all the answers? Obviously...the Exodus story is about deliverance and not about answering every question.

Day 31 What to do with Pharoah's Hard Heart?

One of the most difficult questions in the Bible for me regards Pharoah. Did he have a choice in turning away Moses' request for freedom or was his hard heart beyond his control? This hardening of a heart does not seem to be the consistent with God's mercy and grace. The "grasping for straws" answer I can manage is that God knew in advance Pharoah's heart would be hard. God is all knowing and this is certainly possible. We also have the same theological problem with Judas in the New Testament. (For more reading go to the September, 2006 link on Day 31)

Day 30 How important is leadership?

Pharoah led his people in face of all the deadly plagues. He was blinded by his own pride. Jesus says..."And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Leadership is always the biggest factor in groups. Have we considered lately how valuable is leadership? (For more on today's reading go to September 2006 and Day 30)

Day 29 Is there splendor in our worship?

The Psalmist, David, writes..."worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness!" Have we ever considered worship as a chance to experience the splendor of God? I am always inspired by a good sermon, uplifting music, and prayers from the heart. Yet...the biggest variable is my choice of worshiping from the heart. In opening my heart's door, I recognize God's slendor. Have we opened our heart for this kind of worship? Peter must have found this splendor momentarily in stepping out of the boat. Have we stepped out lately for the splendor of God? (more thoughts on today's reading can be found on day 29 located in September 2006 link)

Day 28 Do we trust God?

One question that comes us frequently in our everyday lives..."can we trust God?" Notice in today's reading the Iraelites where quick to wonder, when their labor increased...even though they were promised to be delivered. Jesus' disciples also were puzzled when He planned to feed the multitudes with two fish and five loaves. In both cases, there was a challenge to trust God when the circumstances say no. Are we any less likely today? Yet...this is one of the dominant themes of the Bible...TRUSTING GOD! Do we trust God? Especially when it is difficult?

Day 27 Have we had such a change of life?

God changed the life of Moses at the "burning bush." Jesus teaches about a kingdom so valuable that all is given up for the treaure. Have we encountered such a change of life? God still sends "burning bushes" and there is a treasure to be found...living for the Kingdom of God! (More reading is found on the Day 27, 2006 link)

Day 26 What is behind growth?

Israel grew as a population in Egypt. Moses was obviously the one God called to lead Israel. He had to endure a lifetime of trials and challenges to fulfill God's purpose. Is this not similar to discipleship? Jesus-in the parable of the seeds- lets us know growth comes through depth, facing challenging times and temptations, and if we remain faithful abundant fruit is the result. In Moses life and for a disciple...bearing fruit is a process that takes a lifetime. Is this not true always in our discipleship and in fulfilling God's overall purpose? (More reading can be found on Day 26 of 2006)

Day 25 Is it enough not to sin?

A clean house (emptying our life of wrong things) is not enough to be a disciple. Jesus teaches an empty clean house is just as vulnerable...and can lead to greater sin. The process of becoming a disciple is more than refraining from sin. We must add the right habits, attitudes, and deeds. What is the old saying..."an idle mind is the devils workplace." How true. A disciple must have a good offense and defense. What do you think? (more commentary on today's reading can be found on Day 25 in the 2006 link)

Day 24 "Feast or Famine?" Sabbath keeping?

Anyone can praise God in a time of feasting but it takes dedication in times of famine. Jacob saw (beyond the famine) the blessings in the lives of his sons and grandsons. God teaches us in these "dry times" to focus on our relationships. What kind of faith do we have...one good in feasting or also in famine?

Jesus taught about the sabbath is made for our benefit. Have we an understanding of the spirit of sabbath keeping and breaking? (more reading can be found on the 2006 Day 24 link)

Day 23 "How do we find peace?"

In our stressful world, how do we find peace? Vacation, escape, rest, or drugs? How about the greatest prescription ever the 23rd Psalm? Dr. Charles Allen once suggested reading the 23rd Psalm five times a day was the best way to find lasting peace. If I read the 23rd Psalm when I wake up, mid-morning, noon, afternoon, and evening...will I not find peace? What do you think? (Read more about today's reading in Day 23 of 2006 link)

Day 22 "Ever felt forsaken?"

Jesus, on the cross, cried out..."My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?" He was actually quoting Psalm 22. Have we ever thought how forsaken Jesus did feel? Has there ever been a time in our life we felt forsaken? (Read Day 22 in August 2006 for more info)

Day 21 "Can you name the twelve disciples?"

In a change of pace today, can you name the twelve disciples? They are listed by Matthew in today's reading. Do you think Matthew gave the most information about the disciples? Is it because Matthew was a disciple? Is he the only disciple with a Gospel? What do you think? (To explore more about today's reading you can go to Day 21 in August of 2006)

Day 20 "What to make of dreams?"

Joseph is known as a "dreamer" and also a dream interpreter. As he is accused wrongly by Potiphar's Wife, he will interpret dreams back into Pharoah's favor. God uses dreams to move beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary. The "wide awake" dreams appear the most valuable. Yet...we cannot totally discount the message of our asleep dreams. In my view, dreams reveal our greatest hopes or fears. What do you make of dreams? (for more info read day 20 in 2006)

Day 19 Converting our own family?

The story of Joseph requires seeing the unfolding of a story with many up and downs, twists and turns, and the best and worst of human behavior. One of the first events was spawned by Joseph's brothers envy. Why is it that families can resent each other more than strangers. (for more read Day 19 of the 2006 link)

Day 18 Do we have special places to talk to God?

Jacob found Bethel a place to talk to God. This was a most significant place for him to spend quality time with God. Do we have such a place to go and spend time with God? We can spend time with God anywhere but there are special places. One of my favorite places is Blue Lake. (More reading can be found on Day 18, August, 2006)

Day 17 Absorbtion or Hostility?

My NIV study notes says that the Dinah incident was about facing absorbtion or hostility. (Israel was constantly under these threats) The defiling of Dinah was met with swift action. This humiliating act was in no way going to be used for corrupt negotiation. In this case, hostility was chosen over absorbtion of cultures. (See Day 17, August 23, 2006 for more thoughts)

Day 16 Have we ever struggled in the night?

Jacob wrestled with a struggle in the night. He experienced blessing at the end of the struggles. I suppose we can feel blessed or cursed by struggles.
Have we ever struggled through the night? And felt blessed? (You can read the link of August 22, 2006 for more thoughts on today's reading.)

Day 15 Why do we see specks?

Jesus teaches... in our reading today... about seeing the specks in the eyes of others and missing the log in our own eye. Why is it so easy to judge someone else? And overlook our own flaws? No one is perfect. Why are we so uptight about specks in someone else's eye? Remember we are focusing on this theme of imperfection in the September sermon series.

Day 14 "What do we make of schemes in the Bible?"

Last year in reading through the Bible I noticed the numerous schemes used by God's people. Jacob tricked Esau out of his blessing. What do we make of these schemes? Are these instances of human beings being human? Are we any different today? Why do we scheme for advantage when God's blessings come through faithfulness?

Day 13 "How Long?"

The Psalmist (David) asks the question..."How Long?" In focusing on the Psalms we read honest feelings such as "how long will I have to endure this?" One of the reasons some people fall away from the Lord is that they lose patience, when circumstances appear not to change. Have we the faith to endure the "how long" moments that come to us all? David affirms his faith at the end. Do we? (To read more comments about today's reading go to August 19th, 2006.)

Day 12 "Family values or value family?

Obviously, in the Old Testament we read of people not only with family values but who really valued family. Sarah was so loved an entire chapter discusses her death. Issac, her son, finds Rebeccah to be his wife in a time of deep grief over the loss of his mother. In our day we talk a great deal about family values but another important question is do we value family?
(read more on August 18th, 2006)

Day 11 "Nervous Reading"

As a father, I can only tell you I read the story of Abraham and Issac feeling nervous. How must Abraham have felt willing to sacrifice his son! Was the ram in thicket all along? Was God planning on the ram from the beginning? Regardless...we do know that God offered His Son Jesus on the cross for us. What emotions to think about! (For more about today's reading you can access August 17, 2006 on this blog.)

Day 10 "Are you shocked by what you read in the Bible?"

After the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah...the story of Lot's daughters getting their father drunk and bearing his children is reading that will make you blush. Yet...this is part of the relevance of the Bible. Real people and real stories...some of the stories bizarre. We can find most everything in the Bible...including shocking stories. Today's story has historical significance regarding the Moabites and Ammonites. Are you shocked by what you read in the Bible?

Day 9 "Is attitude everything?"

Jesus teaches in the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) how to be blessed. These attitudes hold vital lessons for today. Why do we live against these simple teachings? What do you think?

Day 8 Too Old for God's purposes?

Are we ever too old for the Lord to use? As absurd as bearing a child at 100 is the thought we grow too old or even tired for God to use. Obviously, aging changes the way we serve but does not end our service. Is age just a convenient excuse? After all nothing is too hard for the Lord!

Day 7 "Is Tithing Old Testament?"

In today's reading, we have the introduction of tithing. Abram offers a tithe. Is tithing an Old Testament concept? I have even heard persons say Jesus did not teach about tithing. My own view is Jesus taught a life of discipleship even greater than the tithe. Obviously, tithing is a part of our discipleship to honor God first. Jesus' teaching is all about placing God first. This message about placing God first is a message from Genesis to Revelation. Tithing is a relevant today as ever.

In the New Testament reading, Jesus is tested in the desert. He says we should honor God only when promised wealth, bread, and power from Satan. God first, most, and completely...any questions?

Day 6 "How do we explain the Lord's use of "Us"?

In Genesis 3:22 and 11:7 the Lord refers to "Us." Has God a reason to speak plural? Is this a validation of the "Trinity" (Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit) even as early as Genesis? Regardless of whether this is the trinity or not ...God is always a mystery to us. We only can perceive in part the awesomeness and glory of God. What do you think?