15:21 - Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea."
In our lives, we all have our "horse and driver." Likely, it isn't an army of Egyptians coming after you, but it's something that haunts you, something that seeks to devour you and bring you down. God can perform a miracle and destroy your horse and driver. Had Moses hesitated in his faith in God, then the Egyptians would have overtaken himself and the Hebrews. It takes faith and trust in God to overcome the enemy and allow it to be destroyed. And when it does get destroyed, certainly rejoice!
18:19-20 - Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.
This is true today as well. We are all representatives of God in this world and we need to teach those around us the truth about God, who He is, what He does, how we need Him in our lives and how to live for God. We are to be the example. There shouldn't be a person in your life who doesn't know your faith and hasn't heard about God through you, as well as shown by example who God is.
The Ten Commandments1 - 20:3 - "You shall have no other gods before me.2 - 20:4-6 - You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.3 - 20:7 - You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.4 - 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.5 - 20:12 - Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.6 - 20:13 - You shall not murder.7 - 20:14 - You shall not commit adultery.8 - 20:15 - You shall not steal.9 - 20:16 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.10 - 20:17 - You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Ever wonder how to better your life? How God wants you to live? The answer is right here. Look at the ten commandments? Which are you guilty of? Work on these things and life is truly going to improve, you will be keeping God's commandments, which he says he will show love to for a thousand generations.
23:20-22 - "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.
Jesus was sent ahead of us. This is who we need to pay attention to and listen to. Jesus showed us the way, follow Him and God will back us up.
Prayer/Action
Pray for help following the commandments and obeying God. Satan enjoys making us fall, and it's far from easy to always succeed. In fact, it's impossible, especially without God's help. Rely on Him to get you through life's challenges. And when He does, always rejoice!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Day 5: Exodus 1-15:18
3:11-12 - But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."
This message I know rings true to myself, and should ring true to many. "Who am I?" When I think of an answer to this question, it sure doesn't sound like I am anyone who could possibly be worth doing anything good. Who am I? I am broken, I am sinful, I am an emotional mess. I make mistakes, I overreact, I get angry. I'm often lost and confused. I'm searching for answers. Who am I to be led to do anything?
The answer to this is simple and isn't about who I am at all. "And God said, 'I will be with you.'..." This makes all the difference. I am nobody, but with God, I can do it. With God, something amazing can be done through my beaten and bruised self. With God, all things are possible.
4:11-12 - The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
Do you ever not feel eloquent enough, able enough to do what God is calling you to? We alone don't need to be the greatest speaker, the best at what we are being called to. Trust God to use you to show his greatness. Allow him to give you the words, to give you the actions, to lead and guide you.
4:13 - But Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else."
Don't doubt God. He isn't making a mistake when He guides you. God has no limits on what He can accomplish, and don't allow yourself to force limits. God chose you for a reason.
4:31 - and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.
In just this way, the Lord is concerned about all of us.
8:7 - But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
Moses has been called to show the Lord to the Egyptians, but Pharaoh's heart has been hardened so that more miracles would be shown. Moses turns water into blood, and so did the Egyptian magicians. Moses creates a plague of frogs, and so did the Egyptian magicians. This is still relevant today. Picture God and Satan on opposite sides, and God does something to guide you.. and Satan does something similar to distract you. How often do we question what is God and what is ourselves, our temptations. It's important to learn the difference. Satan mimics God in our lives in order to confuse us, to harden us, to make us not believe and go our own way.
8:18-19 - But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere, the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said.
At some point, there will be something asked of you that Satan cannot mimic. There will be your dividing line, your difference to know which way to go. Be aware that this is God, don't ignore it. Don't close your heart to God and what He desires of you.
12:29 - At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.
This was truly a sad and heartbreaking night for Egypt. The firstborn died.. this is children, husbands/wives, parents, aunts/uncles.. this is a large group of people. Everyone lost a loved one, if not many loved ones. It took something so extreme.. don't let it take something this extreme to soften your heart.
12:50-51 - All the Israelites did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. And on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.
Do what God commands of you. What is your Egypt? For freedom from "Egypt" you must follow God and he will deliver you.
15:1-18 - Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
"I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh's officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted,
'I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.'
But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you --
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone --
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought pass by.
You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance--
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
The Lord reigns
for ever and ever."
Rejoice in the Lord. For ever and ever.
This message I know rings true to myself, and should ring true to many. "Who am I?" When I think of an answer to this question, it sure doesn't sound like I am anyone who could possibly be worth doing anything good. Who am I? I am broken, I am sinful, I am an emotional mess. I make mistakes, I overreact, I get angry. I'm often lost and confused. I'm searching for answers. Who am I to be led to do anything?
The answer to this is simple and isn't about who I am at all. "And God said, 'I will be with you.'..." This makes all the difference. I am nobody, but with God, I can do it. With God, something amazing can be done through my beaten and bruised self. With God, all things are possible.
4:11-12 - The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
Do you ever not feel eloquent enough, able enough to do what God is calling you to? We alone don't need to be the greatest speaker, the best at what we are being called to. Trust God to use you to show his greatness. Allow him to give you the words, to give you the actions, to lead and guide you.
4:13 - But Moses said, "Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else."
Don't doubt God. He isn't making a mistake when He guides you. God has no limits on what He can accomplish, and don't allow yourself to force limits. God chose you for a reason.
4:31 - and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.
In just this way, the Lord is concerned about all of us.
8:7 - But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt.
Moses has been called to show the Lord to the Egyptians, but Pharaoh's heart has been hardened so that more miracles would be shown. Moses turns water into blood, and so did the Egyptian magicians. Moses creates a plague of frogs, and so did the Egyptian magicians. This is still relevant today. Picture God and Satan on opposite sides, and God does something to guide you.. and Satan does something similar to distract you. How often do we question what is God and what is ourselves, our temptations. It's important to learn the difference. Satan mimics God in our lives in order to confuse us, to harden us, to make us not believe and go our own way.
8:18-19 - But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere, the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But pharaoh's heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the Lord had said.
At some point, there will be something asked of you that Satan cannot mimic. There will be your dividing line, your difference to know which way to go. Be aware that this is God, don't ignore it. Don't close your heart to God and what He desires of you.
12:29 - At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.
This was truly a sad and heartbreaking night for Egypt. The firstborn died.. this is children, husbands/wives, parents, aunts/uncles.. this is a large group of people. Everyone lost a loved one, if not many loved ones. It took something so extreme.. don't let it take something this extreme to soften your heart.
12:50-51 - All the Israelites did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. And on that very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.
Do what God commands of you. What is your Egypt? For freedom from "Egypt" you must follow God and he will deliver you.
15:1-18 - Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
"I will sing to the Lord,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his army
he has hurled into the sea.
The best of Pharaoh's officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.
The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.
In the greatness of your majesty
you threw down those who opposed you.
You unleashed your burning anger;
it consumed them like stubble.
By the blast of your nostrils
the waters piled up.
The surging waters stood up like a wall;
the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy boasted,
'I will pursue, I will overtake them.
I will divide the spoils;
I will gorge myself on them.
I will draw my sword
and my hand will destroy them.'
But you blew with your breath,
and the sea covered them.
They sank like lead
in the mighty waters.
Who among the gods
is like you, Lord?
Who is like you --
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
You stretch out your right hand,
and the earth swallows your enemies.
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
The nations will hear and tremble;
anguish will grip the people of Philistia.
The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,
the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling,
the people of Canaan will melt away;
terror and dread will fall on them.
By the power of your arm
they will be as still as a stone --
until your people pass by, Lord,
until the people you bought pass by.
You will bring them in and plant them
on the mountain of your inheritance--
the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling,
the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established.
The Lord reigns
for ever and ever."
Rejoice in the Lord. For ever and ever.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Day 4: Genesis 41 - 50
Today, we're finishing up Genesis.
41:5-7 - He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted - thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharoah woke up; it had been a dream.
How often does this happen in our lives? How often do you see someone full of life and wanting to follow God, doing good, and they get in the wrong crowd and are eaten up. This unfortunately happens in a way that often is unseen by the one being devoured in sin.
In Pharaoh's dream, God was warning about a famine and to be prepared for this famine. In our lives, this is just as important. When things are good, and you feel like you're on a great spiritual walk and it's all just coming together, their will be hard times as well. Don't be unprepared for the famine, don't drift from God and his word, store it close to you so that when the famine arrives, you are ready.
41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
"I cannot do it," Joseph was known as the great dream interpreter, and was sent to Pharaoh in order to interpret, yet Joseph was humble enough to admit that it wasn't him who could do it. When looking for answers, or looking for abilities or guidance.. we have to look for God. It isn't about what we can do.. we cannot do it, we have to look to God for the answer, the strength, the ability, or the guidance to know just what to do.
45:8 - "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Where you go in life is often not your choice, or circumstance, but rather God sending you there. Things may seem bad, like Joseph must have felt when being sold to Egypt. Things could seem awful, but ultimately, God is sending you there. See what it is God wants you to do and fill the desired purpose.
49:24-25 - But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Strive to be like Joseph. Joseph was blessed, not because of luck or good fortune, but because he remained steady in Christ, he didn't falter. This should be our goal, when life and circumstance, when people hurt us or disappoint us or commit a painful act on us, don't let it cause us to falter. Stay steady.
50:19-20 - But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Don't underestimate God. Even the bad in this world may be used for good, may be used for the saving of lives. It is not up to us to know God's full plan nor to pass judgment for wrongdoings. It is our job to lay it down to God and to trust Him to make it good.
Prayer / Action
Trust in God to do what's right in your life. Pray to stay steady, even in times of despair. Stay the course in God and He will bring you to his ultimate purpose, He will use you for good, He will bring you where you are supposed to be. Pray to let go of any conditions you've decided need to met, or ideas where you believe you need to go. Ultimately, it is up to God and you will be better following His path, than your own.
41:5-7 - He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted - thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharoah woke up; it had been a dream.
How often does this happen in our lives? How often do you see someone full of life and wanting to follow God, doing good, and they get in the wrong crowd and are eaten up. This unfortunately happens in a way that often is unseen by the one being devoured in sin.
In Pharaoh's dream, God was warning about a famine and to be prepared for this famine. In our lives, this is just as important. When things are good, and you feel like you're on a great spiritual walk and it's all just coming together, their will be hard times as well. Don't be unprepared for the famine, don't drift from God and his word, store it close to you so that when the famine arrives, you are ready.
41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
"I cannot do it," Joseph was known as the great dream interpreter, and was sent to Pharaoh in order to interpret, yet Joseph was humble enough to admit that it wasn't him who could do it. When looking for answers, or looking for abilities or guidance.. we have to look for God. It isn't about what we can do.. we cannot do it, we have to look to God for the answer, the strength, the ability, or the guidance to know just what to do.
45:8 - "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Where you go in life is often not your choice, or circumstance, but rather God sending you there. Things may seem bad, like Joseph must have felt when being sold to Egypt. Things could seem awful, but ultimately, God is sending you there. See what it is God wants you to do and fill the desired purpose.
49:24-25 - But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Strive to be like Joseph. Joseph was blessed, not because of luck or good fortune, but because he remained steady in Christ, he didn't falter. This should be our goal, when life and circumstance, when people hurt us or disappoint us or commit a painful act on us, don't let it cause us to falter. Stay steady.
50:19-20 - But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Don't underestimate God. Even the bad in this world may be used for good, may be used for the saving of lives. It is not up to us to know God's full plan nor to pass judgment for wrongdoings. It is our job to lay it down to God and to trust Him to make it good.
Prayer / Action
Trust in God to do what's right in your life. Pray to stay steady, even in times of despair. Stay the course in God and He will bring you to his ultimate purpose, He will use you for good, He will bring you where you are supposed to be. Pray to let go of any conditions you've decided need to met, or ideas where you believe you need to go. Ultimately, it is up to God and you will be better following His path, than your own.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Day 3: Genesis 29 - 40
33:4 - But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.
Jacob deceived Esau and took not only his birthright, but also his blessing. Esau was angry at Jacob and Jacob believed his life was at risk. Because of this, Jacob ran. Jacob was gone for 20 years, serving Laban. During this time, Jacob received 2 wives, 2 wives' servants, and 11 sons. Then he chose to go back home. On returning home, Jacob chose to "bribe" forgiveness from Esau through gifts prior to his arrival. Esau showed Jacob forgiveness, running to meet and embrace him. Esau didn't even want the gifts, he'd simply forgiven Jacob. This is what we should do. We should forgive. Forgiveness isn't about what we may receive in order to earn it, but rather letting go and simply forgiving.
Jacob deceived Esau and took not only his birthright, but also his blessing. Esau was angry at Jacob and Jacob believed his life was at risk. Because of this, Jacob ran. Jacob was gone for 20 years, serving Laban. During this time, Jacob received 2 wives, 2 wives' servants, and 11 sons. Then he chose to go back home. On returning home, Jacob chose to "bribe" forgiveness from Esau through gifts prior to his arrival. Esau showed Jacob forgiveness, running to meet and embrace him. Esau didn't even want the gifts, he'd simply forgiven Jacob. This is what we should do. We should forgive. Forgiveness isn't about what we may receive in order to earn it, but rather letting go and simply forgiving.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Day 2: Genesis 17 - 28
17:1 - When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.Can anyone truly do this? It feels like the hardest thing at so many times. Why is it so hard to walk faithfully before God, why is it so hard to follow His ways? Being blameless seems so impossible, to be truly blameless. To know what you've done is right, that your actions weren't full of anger or mean or rough, but loving as God loves.
18:14 - Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."Is anything too hard for the Lord? How often is it that we should be asked this question, feeling like we limit what God can do in our lives, what the outcomes could be. Nothing is impossible. Nothing. It's that simple. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. If only we truly trusted that the Lord could do anything, perhaps this would be seen. This may be one of the most important verses, never forget, NOTHING is too hard for the Lord. The Lord can do the impossible.
18:32 - Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."God is merciful. At this point, God was ready to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded with God, saying would he really destroy the righteous with the sinful. Would God really destroy the entire city because of the sinners? And Abraham asked God to spare the city if there were 50 righteous people. God is merciful. God said he would spare them. So Abraham tried even more, dropping to 45. Then later, trusted God and dropped the number to 10. God is merciful. God agreed to spare Sodom if only 10 could be found. Never doubt God's mercy, and never be afraid to ask.
21:1 - Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.Trust the Lord's promises. He will follow through. He will keep his promise.
22:12 - "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."We will be tested. God tests our faith in him. In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham obeys God and takes his son out to the altar. Before Abraham kills Isaac though, an angel tells him to stop. The Lord should come first, and there may be tests. But obey God and you will be rewarded. Always follow God, no matter how hard the decisions could possibly be.
25:21 - Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
God does answer prayer. So often, people choose to believe that prayer is meaningless, that life will turn out the same no matter if you pray or not. But right here it says, "The Lord answered his prayer. Pray. The Lord hears you and will answer.
Prayer / Actions
Ask God to give you faith and to help build your trust in Him. Don't doubt what He may do. What you desire may be the impossible, but God may still provide. He will keep his promises.
18:14 - Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."Is anything too hard for the Lord? How often is it that we should be asked this question, feeling like we limit what God can do in our lives, what the outcomes could be. Nothing is impossible. Nothing. It's that simple. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. If only we truly trusted that the Lord could do anything, perhaps this would be seen. This may be one of the most important verses, never forget, NOTHING is too hard for the Lord. The Lord can do the impossible.
18:32 - Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."God is merciful. At this point, God was ready to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pleaded with God, saying would he really destroy the righteous with the sinful. Would God really destroy the entire city because of the sinners? And Abraham asked God to spare the city if there were 50 righteous people. God is merciful. God said he would spare them. So Abraham tried even more, dropping to 45. Then later, trusted God and dropped the number to 10. God is merciful. God agreed to spare Sodom if only 10 could be found. Never doubt God's mercy, and never be afraid to ask.
21:1 - Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised.Trust the Lord's promises. He will follow through. He will keep his promise.
22:12 - "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."We will be tested. God tests our faith in him. In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Abraham obeys God and takes his son out to the altar. Before Abraham kills Isaac though, an angel tells him to stop. The Lord should come first, and there may be tests. But obey God and you will be rewarded. Always follow God, no matter how hard the decisions could possibly be.
25:21 - Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
God does answer prayer. So often, people choose to believe that prayer is meaningless, that life will turn out the same no matter if you pray or not. But right here it says, "The Lord answered his prayer. Pray. The Lord hears you and will answer.
Prayer / Actions
Ask God to give you faith and to help build your trust in Him. Don't doubt what He may do. What you desire may be the impossible, but God may still provide. He will keep his promises.
Day 1: Genesis 1 - 16
Genesis goes through the creation and beginning of the earth. So many of the stories told since childhood can be found in this book. Creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and the Ark, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom and Gomorrah are all found here. Numerous lessons and studies have been done on these stories. Reading through this, there were a few themes that really stood out to me.
1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
This verse is so well known, it's definitely in the ranks as one of the first thought of verses when looking into the Bible. And this begins the journey into Genesis, but other than learning just how we were created, what other lessons can be found?
1:4 - God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
1:18 - to govern the day and the night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
The light was good. We as Christians should be a light in this world. We should strive to be a bright light, separated from the darkness. It's far too easy to be dimmed by the darkness. The darkness is always lurking, waiting to tempt us. Stay separate, stay a beaming light.
1:11 - Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.
1:24 - And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.We need to be with our "same kind" in order to bear fruit in this world. Especially within our close relationships, whether it be your best friends or your significant other. If you choose those who don't believe, or don't want to truly follow God as your closest friends, you are bound to produce far less fruit in your life. It is too easy to forget the importance of building relationships with others close to God, wanting to follow Him.
1:22 - God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."
1:28 - God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.
8:17 - Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you - the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground - so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.
9:1 - Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth."
9:7 - As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."This right here is our calling! We are blessed and should produce fruit and increase in number. This isn't saying we should go and produce lots of babies, but rather, we should go and spread the word. We should go and change the world, and help increase the number coming to God. We should be out there making a difference. We were created special and this shouldn't be wasted.
1:27 - So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them: male and female he created them.Have you ever wondered your personal value? The answer to what you are worth is right here. We are created in the image of God, who are we to ever devalue that? We all were worth that image.
2:3 - Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.This world is crazy, and all to often being busy becomes the norm. We go to work, we go to school, we complete housework. Workaholics are seen far too often. We forget to relax, we forget to take time off and enjoy what God gave us and to thank Him for it. This is something that shouldn't be forgotten. God rested after the work he had done. Why would we as humans think not to follow this example and rest.. spend a day with God resting. Allow yourself to simply relax in His peace.
2:17 - but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.
3:5 - "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."What is the tree in your own life? Drugs, alcohol, bad relationships, lust? Don't even taste these things. It's easy to feel like you don't know what you're missing if not trying it once. You don't need the knowledge of evil in order to know what is good. Tasting evil will certainly lead to death.. spiritual death, emotional death, and at times even physical death.
2:18 - The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."Humans are good together. We aren't meant to be total loners sitting at home. We need friends, family, and our significant others. God specifically made a helper for man, God made him company, someone to spend life with. Relationships are a positive thing, they were made to be together, to help each other, and work together for good.
2:23 - The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."
Men and women become one once they are together. This is huge. Too often in relationships, the couple are separate. Yes, you are two individuals, but you are two individuals who are now bound together. And this is how people should be treated. Treat the one you're with as you would yourself, treat them with love. And allow yourself to be treated this way.
2:25 - Adam and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.
There was no shame, no embarrassment. They were completely vulnerable to each other, completely open.
3:7 - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
3:10 - He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."Sin makes you hide yourself. You have to cover up who you are because the truth is embarrassing. Sin brings shame, even around those you're closest to. Sin even causes you to hide from God, because if you show your sin to God, you have to admit the decisions, admit that it's time to change, admit you were wrong.
4:7 - If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."Sin is always looking to overcome us, it's so important to be aware of it in order to fight against it. With God, you can rule over sin, you don't have to let it devour you.
5:24 - Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.Enoch was taken away, he wasn't listed as "died".???
6:2 - the sons of God saw the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.Marriage NEEDS to be done between men and women of God, not between any man and woman. The beauty needs to lie within the heart.
6:7 - So the Lord said, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created - and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground - for I regret that I have made them."Be someone God won't regret having made. Strive to obey and please him.
8:21 - The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.Without God, we are evil from the beginning. We need God to overcome our evil hearts and desires.
9:16 - Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."The rainbow is still our continued sign of this promise made. Remember God's love and promise.
15:1 - After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."God is both our shield and our reward. Allow him to be these things. Do not be afraid of this world, because God is here to protect us. Trust in God to protect you, and keep your shield up. Protect your heart with God.
Prayer and Action
Pray to be one separate from the darkness in the world, allowing yourself to be a light to those around you. And allow your light to spread, to multiply. To make a difference in this dark world.
Pray that God brings those in your life who are your "kind", close to God, loving God and wanting to follow Him. Be surrounded by those who will help encourage you.
Pray to stay away from sin, don't even try it in order to not be devoured. Surround yourself by those who follow this as well.
1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
This verse is so well known, it's definitely in the ranks as one of the first thought of verses when looking into the Bible. And this begins the journey into Genesis, but other than learning just how we were created, what other lessons can be found?
1:4 - God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
1:18 - to govern the day and the night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.
The light was good. We as Christians should be a light in this world. We should strive to be a bright light, separated from the darkness. It's far too easy to be dimmed by the darkness. The darkness is always lurking, waiting to tempt us. Stay separate, stay a beaming light.
1:11 - Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.
1:24 - And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.We need to be with our "same kind" in order to bear fruit in this world. Especially within our close relationships, whether it be your best friends or your significant other. If you choose those who don't believe, or don't want to truly follow God as your closest friends, you are bound to produce far less fruit in your life. It is too easy to forget the importance of building relationships with others close to God, wanting to follow Him.
1:22 - God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth."
1:28 - God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.
8:17 - Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you - the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground - so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.
9:1 - Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth."
9:7 - As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."This right here is our calling! We are blessed and should produce fruit and increase in number. This isn't saying we should go and produce lots of babies, but rather, we should go and spread the word. We should go and change the world, and help increase the number coming to God. We should be out there making a difference. We were created special and this shouldn't be wasted.
1:27 - So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them: male and female he created them.Have you ever wondered your personal value? The answer to what you are worth is right here. We are created in the image of God, who are we to ever devalue that? We all were worth that image.
2:3 - Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.This world is crazy, and all to often being busy becomes the norm. We go to work, we go to school, we complete housework. Workaholics are seen far too often. We forget to relax, we forget to take time off and enjoy what God gave us and to thank Him for it. This is something that shouldn't be forgotten. God rested after the work he had done. Why would we as humans think not to follow this example and rest.. spend a day with God resting. Allow yourself to simply relax in His peace.
2:17 - but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.
3:5 - "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."What is the tree in your own life? Drugs, alcohol, bad relationships, lust? Don't even taste these things. It's easy to feel like you don't know what you're missing if not trying it once. You don't need the knowledge of evil in order to know what is good. Tasting evil will certainly lead to death.. spiritual death, emotional death, and at times even physical death.
2:18 - The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."Humans are good together. We aren't meant to be total loners sitting at home. We need friends, family, and our significant others. God specifically made a helper for man, God made him company, someone to spend life with. Relationships are a positive thing, they were made to be together, to help each other, and work together for good.
2:23 - The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."
Men and women become one once they are together. This is huge. Too often in relationships, the couple are separate. Yes, you are two individuals, but you are two individuals who are now bound together. And this is how people should be treated. Treat the one you're with as you would yourself, treat them with love. And allow yourself to be treated this way.
2:25 - Adam and his wife were both naked and they felt no shame.
There was no shame, no embarrassment. They were completely vulnerable to each other, completely open.
3:7 - Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
3:10 - He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."Sin makes you hide yourself. You have to cover up who you are because the truth is embarrassing. Sin brings shame, even around those you're closest to. Sin even causes you to hide from God, because if you show your sin to God, you have to admit the decisions, admit that it's time to change, admit you were wrong.
4:7 - If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."Sin is always looking to overcome us, it's so important to be aware of it in order to fight against it. With God, you can rule over sin, you don't have to let it devour you.
5:24 - Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.Enoch was taken away, he wasn't listed as "died".???
6:2 - the sons of God saw the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.Marriage NEEDS to be done between men and women of God, not between any man and woman. The beauty needs to lie within the heart.
6:7 - So the Lord said, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created - and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground - for I regret that I have made them."Be someone God won't regret having made. Strive to obey and please him.
8:21 - The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.Without God, we are evil from the beginning. We need God to overcome our evil hearts and desires.
9:16 - Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."The rainbow is still our continued sign of this promise made. Remember God's love and promise.
15:1 - After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."God is both our shield and our reward. Allow him to be these things. Do not be afraid of this world, because God is here to protect us. Trust in God to protect you, and keep your shield up. Protect your heart with God.
Prayer and Action
Pray to be one separate from the darkness in the world, allowing yourself to be a light to those around you. And allow your light to spread, to multiply. To make a difference in this dark world.
Pray that God brings those in your life who are your "kind", close to God, loving God and wanting to follow Him. Be surrounded by those who will help encourage you.
Pray to stay away from sin, don't even try it in order to not be devoured. Surround yourself by those who follow this as well.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Intro
So many times one looks at their life, full of questions and seeking answers. In today's day and age, answers are sought on TV, the radio, friends, newspapers, the internet, and books. The. Places one can go are nearly endless. Yet many of these searches will lead to dead ends, bringing you no closer to "finding yourself."
As I've found myself asking questions I know nobody can answer: why was I brought into a torn and painful life, why am I destined to have no family, why, why, why; I often overlooked the one book with all my answers. No, I won't open it and it say, "Brittney, your answer is...," but it will provide answers.. Through prayer, and the examples of others, and speaking to your heart, there will be guidance, inspiration, motivation, and a positive ness that can't be found elsewhere.
I've often seen and tried the "read your Bible in a year" schedules. Although I have completely read it throughout the years, I embarrassingly have to admit, I never completed one of those programs. To read the Bible in 90 days, it takes reading approximately 12 pages a day. I can read a 200 page novel in 2 days, I find it pretty sad if I can't read 12 pages of my Bible each day.
This blog is meant to serve multiple purposes. I don't know where this 90 day journey will take me, but I do know I want to chronicle it, to never forget what I gain and learn through this. It also is a sad attempt at accountability. One can't deny the power of the Bible when realizing the powers put into play to distract one from it. And lastly, maybe my journey will reach someone out there and inspire them as well.
Brittney
As I've found myself asking questions I know nobody can answer: why was I brought into a torn and painful life, why am I destined to have no family, why, why, why; I often overlooked the one book with all my answers. No, I won't open it and it say, "Brittney, your answer is...," but it will provide answers.. Through prayer, and the examples of others, and speaking to your heart, there will be guidance, inspiration, motivation, and a positive ness that can't be found elsewhere.
I've often seen and tried the "read your Bible in a year" schedules. Although I have completely read it throughout the years, I embarrassingly have to admit, I never completed one of those programs. To read the Bible in 90 days, it takes reading approximately 12 pages a day. I can read a 200 page novel in 2 days, I find it pretty sad if I can't read 12 pages of my Bible each day.
This blog is meant to serve multiple purposes. I don't know where this 90 day journey will take me, but I do know I want to chronicle it, to never forget what I gain and learn through this. It also is a sad attempt at accountability. One can't deny the power of the Bible when realizing the powers put into play to distract one from it. And lastly, maybe my journey will reach someone out there and inspire them as well.
Brittney
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