Bible In 90 Days – Day 14

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1 – Deuteronomy 23:11

Take Away(s):

• The Complete Picture of Obedience. In 10:16, Moses says that the Lord demands that the Israelites circumcise their hearts.  They knew about circumcision – it was an act of obedience that was instituted long before by God to their forefathers.  It showed that they were set apart and that they belonged to God.  It was an outward sign of obedience.  But here, God says that outward is not the complete picture of obedience.  The heart also is where obedience rests – thus He commands that they circumcise their hearts – where our true self and intents lie.  I pray that my outward display of obedience match my heart condition of obedience.  I know that I can’t do it on my own, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• A Preview of Golgatha. In 21:22-23, we see the reason why Jesus’ body was quickly placed in the tomb.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 13

Reading: Numbers 32:20 – Deuteronomy 7:26

Take Away(s):

• No Math!. Deuteronomy 4:2, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” Moses commands that the Israelites not alter or edit the commands that God had given through him.  Fast forward to our time.  How hard that command is for us.  We may not add or subtract anything from God’s Word overtly, but when we impose our opinions, likes, dislikes, feelings, etc. on top of His word…we do what is wrong before God.  In fact it is sin.  I pray that I am conscious about how I treat God’s Word and obey it myself “as written” and impart it the same to others.
• Just Talk! Several times in today’s reading it talks about reminding one’s children (and family) about God’s commands and what God has done – even saying to “impress” them on your children.  I pray that as Karen and I enter parenthood soon, we seek to do this with our children.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 12

Reading: Numbers 21:8 – Numbers 32:19

Take Away(s):

• Balaam’s Talking Donkey. When I read the story of Balaam’s donkey, I wonder what it would be like if our “donkey” talked to us.  Stay with me… We all have “donkeys” in our lives.  You know, the things that we take our unwarranted frustration out on (umm, if I’m the only one here…just pray for me!).  They are the things that are the innocent victim of our anger or just irritation.  They can be live things or inanimate – but we see them as hindrances or irritants – just like Balaam did with his donkey.  If we believe Romans 8:28, we know that God uses “all things” – let’s think about the object or person we see as our hindrance…God may be using them for our good!
• Pleasing aroma. 29:6 talks about the the offerings being a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  Just think, our singing on Sunday – as well as our non-singing worship (Romans 12:1-2) – is a pleasing aroma to the Lord (when done in spirit and in truth, of course).  I pray that I’m not (in the words of Nacho Libre) “estinky” before the Lord as I worship.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations

Bible In 90 Days – Day 11

Reading: Numbers 8:15 – Numbers 21:7

Take Away(s):

• Redefining Humility. As I’ve been reading about Moses and his interaction with God over the past few days, I initially found it hard to reconcile Numbers 12:3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth) with what seemed, at times, an arrogant attitude by Moses toward God. There are various definitions of the word humble – one that I think is displayed in Moses’ relationship with God is: “not proud or arrogant; modest.”  How often we think that humility is narrowly defined as being meek and mild – even wimpy!  Moses knew God and approached him with appropriate respect, but enjoyed a relationship that involved some honest conversation with God – and God was painfully honest right back!  He also lead the Israelites in humility, but with authority.  Reminds me of Christ’ leadership while on earth – he was humble, yet authoritative in a profound and powerful way.  What models we have in God’s word to follow as we lead at home, at work, and in an situation in our lives.  Praise God that through His Son, we have direct access to Him – freedom to call out His name and talk with Him at any time, in any place.  OH TO GRACE HOW GREAT A DEBTOR!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 10

Reading: Leviticus 26:27 – Numbers 8:14

Take Away(s):

• The Levites Given Their Tabernacle Tasks/Responsibilities.
  • As I read about how the Levite tribe was given various duties around the tabernacle, it reminded me that eventually in 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, David appoints them to a ministry of music and praise – specifically as, “ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord.”  From caring for the actual Tent to the poles and pegs;  in today’s reading, they were given the these duties and set apart for ministry before and to the Lord.  These duties seem trivial compared with their future responsibilities assigned by David, but they were just as critical to worship of, showing reverence to, and pleasing and obeying God.  I think sometimes people see their part of the Sunday worship service as unimportant or less important or critical than other roles (at times, those being lead see this similarly).  Some think that the only roles that matter during the service are the ones that are on stage.  That is so far from the truth.  Just like the Levites in the Old Testament and their specific roles with the Tabernacle, each and every person is key to worship on Sunday morning today.
  • The other take away from this passage is that leading worship (all of the roles/duties involved) is at it’s core serving.  We must first have a servants heart AND put that into action before we can even lead others in worship of our amazing God.  This example is evident in the progressing role of the Levites.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 9

Reading: Leviticus 14:33 – Leviticus 26:26

Take Away(s):

• In, Not Of. In 18:3-5, the Israelites are warmed by God not to follow the practices of the other people around them.  They are set apart…different.  They are in the world, but not of the world. Reminded me of the Apostle Paul and his “all things to all men” passage in 1 Corinthians 9.  Whenever I read that passage, I am reminded that Paul met people where they were – all the while, not compromising his testimony for Christ and the work at hand.  May that be so in me…through the power of the Holy Spirit!
• Keep, Not Think About. In 18:5, God says, “Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.”  Note to self: There is a distinct difference between keeping and thinking about or even knowing.  We can’t live by simply having a good intention to obey…we must obey.  Thinking about or knowing without the actual action of keeping is fruitless.
• Made Holy – By The Holy One.  In 19:1, God says that they are to be holy for He is holy.   Quite a tall order.  Without verse 20:8 (“Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”), their (and our) efforts to be holy are futile.  Thank God for His enabling power and the Holy Spirit!  I could never measure up on my own!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 8

Reading: Leviticus 1:1 – Leviticus 14:32

Take Away(s):

• The Lord instructs on Offerings. In this first section of Leviticus, God lays out the details for offerings to Moses (as well as other Levitical procedures).  I am struck by the details that were given/required.  I have no insight into the physiology of these specific animals, but I’m sure God had a rational for instructing specificaly in this manner.  Contrast that with how we gripe about some of the “methods” or commands we (as Christ Followers) follow in obedince…in a grumbling manner at times.  I guess if we heard them from Him directly, we’d consider them differently.

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 7

Reading: Exodus 29:1 – Exodus 40:38

Take Away(s):

• Underappreciated Intimacy. As I read chapter 29, with all the details and steps through which God had the priests go through for consecration, it struck me that we (as Christ Followers) generally underappreciate the intimacy that we have with God.  It’s really only when we read passages like this – and the others to come – that we see what Christ’s death on the cross accomplished for us.  As I type this, I am sitting in my room at the Disneyland resort in Anaheim (on a business trip).  I just worked most of the evening getting ready for a conference, but came back to the room and worshiped the Lord with a bunch of people online and those who attend in-person Table Rock Fellowship in Medford, OR (one of my tweeps is the worship leader there).  In the hustle and bustle of the “Happiest Place on Earth”, I enjoyed intimacy with the Creator of the Universe – the True Happiness Giver.  No animals were required to be sacrificed and I didn’t have to wear a specific outfit or have someone facilitate my communion with God.  My videostream-lead worship was made possible by my Savior’s amazing grace and sacrifice!  May I never underappriciate the blessed intimacy I have with God.
• Silence doesn’t mean we need to strike out on our own.  When Moses is on the mountain with God for so long, the people get ancy and strike out on their own and want to make gods for themselves.  Aaron suggests and then makes the golden calf.  This got me thinking how impatient we are when God doesn’t seem to answer our prayer or give direction in the timeframe we expect.  Waiting on the Lord is hard.  How often my plan seems the “best” choice!  Forgive me, Lord…

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 6

Reading: Exodus 15:19 – Exodus 28:43

Take Away(s):

• Moses assisted by Aaron and Hur (17:8-13): This passage shows that we must support each other!  I blogged about what this meant to me in my marriage back on May 8.  It’s a cool passage and a great application to marriages…
• Father-in-law-ly Advice: delegate Dude! Jethro visits Moses and pretty much tells him that he needs to delegate the lower-level duties he has to make sure he doesn’t burn out.  Good advice.  I am a delega-phobe – or what some may call a control freak (I disguise it quite well though).  It’s something that I need to work on for sure.  If Moses did it…it must be a “good thing.”
• I’ll let the video below speak for itself…

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 5

Reading: Exodus 1:1 – Exodus 15:18

Take Away(s):

• Moses failure to circumcise his son. Even though God had chosen Moses to free His people from Egypt, had spoken to him, and had given him signs for demonstrating to the Israelites and the Egyptians that he was from God; even he was not exempt from circumcising his son.  Moses was circumcised (he lived with his Hebrew people for 3 months), and he must follow Hebrew law also.  Interesting that Moses wife was the one who noted that the Lord was about to kill Moses son and took action.
• Horse and Rider song! Anyone remember the Horse and Rider song from their childhood?  I found no real references online for it except this one.

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If you’re participating, what were your observations?