Representing

Scripture. Exodus 28:29. In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord.

Observation. Not only did Aaron have the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders, but he had them over his heart. He came before the Lord to represent the people. When he left the tabernacle, he was to represent God to the people. It seems as the high priest role was not so much about him, but about bringing people closer to God, and God (His Word, ways and work) closer to the people.

Application. There is a real tension I must live in as I serve as a pastor. I want to do all I can to help people live closer to God. But I don't want to miss out on keeping my life close to God. And I know that there is only one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.

Prayer. Father I pray You would help me to live very close to You. Help me to prioritize my sacred time with You, and to also live a life that represents You well. Also, please help me to always have the people of Cornerstone over my heart as I minister as their pastor.

Filling My Cities

Scripture. Acts 5:28 "Didn't we tell you never again to teach in this man's name?" he demanded. "Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!"

Observation. The apostles were clearly instructed to not preach. They had been thrown in prison because of preaching. And instead they are accused of filling the whole city with teaching about Jesus. It wasn't that they just shared with a few people through friendship evangelism, they filled the city with the news. Their message was loud, and it was clear.

Application. Filling the city - that seems like a big task. But at least it is something worth shooting for. A big goal. Filling the city with teaching about Jesus. If we were to do this, someone would respond. Gods Word would find go I'd ground in some hearts. Our cities are filled with violence, lust, greed, materialism and selfishness. May they now be filled with a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Prayer. Jesus, I know You have called me to be a light in dark places. I'm sorry for my cowardice and self-centeredness. Help me to be about Your business. Help me to fill my life, and out of that my cities, with a saving knowledge of You!

Special Training - Time With Jesus

Scripture Acts 4: 13b. ...they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Observation. Ordinary. No special training. But obvious they he been with Jesus. It would seem to me that being with Jesus as He taught the scriptures would qualify as Special Training. Obvious - readily and clearly apparent. His influence was noticeable, as was their knowledge of Him.

Application. I have undervalued what can take place in the life of a person with no special training in the scriptures but clearly spent time with Jesus. I pray that somehow people would be able to recognize I have been with Jesus. This should be reflected in not only how I live, but what I know about Him - His word, His ways, His heart, His voice.

Prayer Lord,may I never neglect my time with You. I'm not talking just about Life Journaling and devotions, I mean a life spent with You. That I might know You.....

Jethro's Advice

Scripture. Exodus 18:20 Teach them God's decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.

Observation. This was Jethro's advice to Moses. 3 steps to teach the people. Barry Buzza paraphrases this as to teach them the Word of God, The Ways of God, and the Work of God.

Application. I need to focus this year on the ways of God. Kingdom ways. Philosophy of Ministry. People need to understand the WHY of what we do. It is much like parenting - the kids need to not only know what, they need to know why.

Prayer. Lord, please help me to not only teach the why, but to live it out. I pray You would help me model the why.

A Visible Mark

Scripture. Exodus 13:16 This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the Lord's mighty hand brought us out of Egypt."

Observation A mark on your hand, you will see continually. A mark on your head, others will see continually. It will be an evident reminder to you and to others of the Lord's power and might to set people free from bondage. A remembrance of not only what God did, but what God can do!

Application A mark on your hand or head ~ sounds very familiar; like in the book of Revelation: the mark of the beast. First, this tells me again that the enemy is not original, simply a counterfeit. Second, the mark (to buy and sell) would be a visible reminder of rebellion against God; a lack of submission, distrust. I want to do all I can to have people visibly notice God's power that set me free from bondage to sin. I always want to be reminded, and demonstrate that to others. I don't think I need a bracelet or a hindu mark on my forehead, but I do want it to be that evident. Perhaps it is through a lifestyle of praise?

Prayer Lord, please help me to always remember how you set me free, and help me to make that so visible in my life that others will be drawn to praise You!

All Joined Together!

Scripture Exodus 10:9 Moses replied, "We will all go—young and old, our sons and daughters, and our flocks and herds. We must all join together in celebrating a festival to the Lord."

Observation God was commanding Pharaoh to let His people go; all of them. Moses was not going to leave the kids behind. I love how the children were going to be a part of the worship and celebration. We all must JOIN together. No one left out. It's a family afair.

Application I don't want the kids of our church to miss out. I don't want to just relegate them to Sunday School ~ although we have a top notch program with wonderful leaders. I want to make sure they are included in our worship times - not just waiting to be released.

Prayer Lord, thank you for inviting the children to come unto you, and for showing us that we need to be like children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Help me to pastor our kids well, that we might all JOIN together in worshipping You.

God Cares So Little

Scripture Exodus 8:31 And the Lord did as Moses asked and caused the swarms of flies to disappear from Pharaoh, his officials, and his people. Not a single fly remained.

Observation. This is a miracle. Not just that the flies arrived, but that not a single fly remained. Not one. God can take care of even the smallest of details. He knows every hair on a persons head, and knows where every fly is in egypt. Too bad he doesn't remove every mosquito in Airdrie!

Application. Somehow this inspires me to trust the Lord more. It is a great reminder that noting is impossible with God. God is so powerful, and HUGE, but can care about the smallest details. What a crazy text to motivate me to worship!

Prayer. Father, thank You for your great care about the little things. Only a Big God could care "so little".

Prayer Thwarts Temptation

Scripture Luke 22:46. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation."

Observation. NLT says they were sleeping because they were exhausted by grief. But Jesus gives this strong exhortation. Get up. Get up and pray. But the benefit is that they would not give into temptation. Prayer was more important than sleep.

Application. I need to make prayer a priority over sleep. As I write this I am exhausted. All I want to do is sleep. But when I get so tired, I'm aware I'm susceptible to weakness and sin. I always need to remember to be a man of prayer THAT I might not give in to temptation.

Prayer. Lord, I do thank Y Ou for the privilege of prayer. Please help me not give Ito temptation, and help me develop a real deep life of prayer. Amen.

Faith That Extends Beyond A Lifetime

Scripture
Genesis 50:25
25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, "When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you."

Observation
Joseph had faith, a real assurance, that God would help his descendants in the future and bring them back to the place God promised to Abraham. "Take my bones with you" seems to say that he is confident that even death is not the end of his story. He had been in some pretty tough spots that seemed like the end, but then God made a way. Here he says that even though I'm dead, I want to be a part of Gods plan. He was called to Egypt to save lives, but he knew Egypt was not home.

Application
I want to have faith like Joseph, trusting in Gods final plan for His people. Even if I die before the Lord returns to take us all home, that is not the end of his plan for my descendants. I know the Lord will help my kids, and lead them back to all He has for us as His children, and we will ALL be together again!

Prayer
Lord, thank you for showing me the faith of Joseph, faith that extends beyond my lifetime. Your plans for my kids are good, and I pray that for however long I am able to be an active part of that plan, that I will live up to Your expectations. Thank you it doesn't all depend on me!

Increase

Luke 19:26
26 "'Yes,' the king replied, 'and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Jesus explains the principle of stewardship. Do a lot with a little, and you will get to do a lot with a lot (Gregg Johnson). Last night I recommended to church council that I take a 5% - 10 % pay decrease. Instead they gave me a 3% increase. Audrey and I both think that we cannot accept this increase. I was planning on phoning our bookkeeper this morning to veto council's decision. However, it seems to me that the Lord has brought me to this scripture as a reminder of this principle, and a affirmation of our stewardship.
Lord, I don't deserve anything in serving you at the church. I'm not entitled to a salary. I am an unworthy servant who is simply doing my duty. Thank You for your provision and trust you place in Audrey and me. Please help us to be faithful, fruitful, and generous.

The Tribe of Judah??

The Old Testament readings for today were not long, but wow, what a lot in a short read. Joseph was a dreamer, then betrayed and sold, and then the awful story of Judah and Tamar. Gen 38:24 Judah reveals such wickedness in his heart when he says of Tamar "Bring her out, and let her be burned!". And Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. And I thought I had some sketchy family tree members. Jesus really identified with our humanity alright.

Believing Unto Righteousness

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6. Prior to the sign of the covenant, prior to the sacrifice on Mt. Moriah, Father Abram (Abraham) was declared to be righteous because he believed. It's an amazing act of grace on Gods part, still today, that we are saved by grace, through faith. And Paul's instructions to the Galatians was to continue in faith and grace by His Spirit, not being perfected by works.
Father God, please help me to remember what I have believed, and let that be lived out in my life. May there be an evidence of Your righteousness as I live out my faith in Your promises.

Too Much Of A Sinner

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.". Luke 5:8
Peter was pretty quick to disqualify himself for a relationship with Jesus. Jesus was separate from sin (He knew no sin) but He came to rescue sinners. I don't ever want to live in such a way that people think they are too much of a sinner to be with me. Jesus immediately invited Peter to follow Him, without fear.
Father, please help me to live close to sinners, and invite them to follow Your Son Jesus. And may I live as a fisher of men.