Date: 02-08-2021

Title: Rest

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 23:10-12 (NLT2) “Plant and harvest your crops for six years, 11 but let the land be renewed and lie uncultivated during the seventh year. Then let the poor among you harvest whatever grows on its own. Leave the rest for wild animals to eat. The same applies to your vineyards and olive groves. 12 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed.

(O) bservation:
    God’s instructions here are about the Sabbath rest. It is for more than just individuals. It is for the land and animals as well. We are to work six and rest one. For the land it is years, for man and animals it is days. The instruction is plain and for our good.

(A) pplication:
    I remember a professor saying, “If you are doing more than you can get done in six days you are doing more that God intended you to do.” In out hurried lives we often neglect to rest. Problem is that at some point we are going to crash, and the crash will be great. God built within us the need for rest and then He gave us a formula to bring that rest about in out lives. This rest is more than just doing nothing, it is to be a time of renewal and reflection. It is a time for our spirits to be renewed. We miss so much when we are tired and harried. This is not a call to laziness. It is a command that empowers our energy level to meet the demands in our lives. If I want to be effective in my walk with the Lord and to make an impact for the kingdom then I must not neglect the Sabbath rest God has commanded.

(P) rayer:
    Lord teach me to work effectively for six days and to rest as you would have me rest on that seventh day. Help me manage my time so that I am not hurried but rather living as you would have me live. Amen

Date: 02-07-2021

Title: Living As God Desires

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 20:1-17 (NLT2) Then God gave the people all these instructions: 2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3 “You must not have any other god but me. 4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. 7 “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. 8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. 12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 “You must not murder. 14 “You must not commit adultery. 15 “You must not steal. 16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. 17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

(O) bservation:
    What we call the Ten Commandments are the terms of the covenant God is making with the people of Israel. Living this way will set them apart from all the other nations. In the coming chapters, God will flesh these out to show how they are to be applied to daily living. The people agreed to live this way, but it didn’t take long for them to fail to follow God’s commands.

(A) pplication:
    I don’t think that God has changed his mind about the Ten Commandments. They still outline how we are to live in relationship with God and with each other. For the Christian these become a guideline for living as God would have us live. Our focus is not on “keeping” them in our own strength but rather on walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit knowing that the Holy Spirit will not lead us contrary to God’s Word. They give me a knowledge of sinful behavior that I need to confess. Again my focus is not on the commandments but rather on following the Holy Spirit’s direction in my life.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me aware of when I am not walking by faith so that I might confess my sin and again walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Date: 02-06-2021

Title: Delegation

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 18:14-26 (NLT2) When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” 15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. 16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” 17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. 20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. 21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. 23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 25 He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 26 These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.

(O) bservation:
    Earlier Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had come for a visit and after hearing all that God had done offered sacrifices to Jehovah as a sign of his new faith and trust. As Jethro watched Moses, he saw that Moses was trying to do too much and encouraged his to recruit good capable and honest men and delegate some responsibility to them. Moses took Jethro’s advice and set up their system for settling their disputes. Moses listened to the wise counsel of his father-in-law and made things better for himself and all Israel.

(A) pplication:
    Sometimes it is just easier to do things yourself but that has a number of negative consequences; 1) the risk of burnout and frustration with the people; 2) people are untrained and under-utilized; 3) can lead to an arrogance of thinking you are indispensable or better that those you lead. It takes time to teach and train others but the benefits far outweigh the liabilities. Pastors would do well to follow Moses’ example and train and delegate. In my own life this has been an important lesson. Even now as a staff pastor and semi-retired I need to be developing leaders to lead the church long after I am gone. Another benefit is that when people are participating in the ministry that are more committed to the local church and the kingdom.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, grant me the wisdom and patience to teach and train and delegate to those faithful people who will continue to lead the church into the future. Amen

Date: 02-05-2021

Title: God’s Protection

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 14:19-20 (NLT2) Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

(O) bservation:
    As the Israelites left Egypt the Lord led them with a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night. At the edge of the Red Sea, when the people see the Egyptians pursuing them again, they become afraid and begin to complain to Moses. Moses tells them to trust in the Lord to deliver them. Then the pillar of cloud moved from being in front of them to behind them. When darkness came the cloud became a pillar of fire that stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians. That night the Sea was parted and then the people crossed on dry land, the pillar of fire was keeping the Egyptians at bay.

(A) pplication:
    Today I am again made aware that as I follow the Lord, “He’s also got my back”. Not only does he lead but he protects. Today I will trust in God’s provision and protection for me. I do not want to complain but rather trust and follow obediently.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for your presence and protection. My desire is to follow and trust you completely regardless of where that might be. Grant me courage to follow you today. Amen

Date: 02-04-2021

Title: Be Ready

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 12:11 (NLT2) “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the LORD’s Passover.

(O) bservation:
    Moses is giving instructions about the first Passover meal. After telling them how to prepare the meal and to spread the blood of the sacrifice on the doorposts he then tells them that as they eat they are to be ready to move. God knows that the Egyptians will let them go because of the death angel and he wants the people to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

(A) pplication:
    I wonder how often I have missed an opportunity because I was not ready to move immediately at the Lord’s command. It certainly is not because I do not want to do what God commands, but I wonder if the opportunity passes because I was not in a state of readiness. Today I want to be ready to act when God commands.

(P) rayer:
    Lord forgive my laziness and not being prepared to move when you prompt me to move. Help me to stay ready so I can act and move when you desire. Amen

Date: 02-03-2-21

Title: God’s Purposes

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 9:13-16 (NLT2) Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 14 If you don’t, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15 By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth. 16 But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.

(O) bservation:
    Knowing that Pharaoh would still be stubborn and hard-hearted God sends Moses with yet another request to let the people go. Moses speaks and tells Pharaoh the consequences of not granting his request. More plagues would come so Pharaoh and his people would know that there is no God like him in all the earth. Moses then reveals God’s purpose in all this – it was to show God’s power and to spread His fame throughout the earth.

(A) pplication:
    God always works and acts with purpose. He is not arbitrary or random but always purposeful. I need to realize that God’s work and leading in my life is always purposeful. The victories and struggles I have as I follow Him are being used to show His power and to spread His fame to those around me. As I walk with the Lord every circumstance has purpose and that is to point to Jesus and to give Him glory. When I gripe and complain about my circumstances, I am short-circuiting what God want to do and show to others through me. Today I will walk by faith and not complain. I want the Lord to use me to show his power and grace.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, grant me the courage I need to faithfully follow You. I want my life to point others to you. Whether I understand all that is happening to me or not, help me not complain but to trust you to accomplish your purpose in and through me. Amen

Date: 02-02-2021

Title: A Partner

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 4:27-31 (NLT2) Now the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go out into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So Aaron went and met Moses at the mountain of God, and he embraced him. 28 Moses then told Aaron everything the LORD had commanded him to say. And he told him about the miraculous signs the LORD had commanded him to perform. 29 Then Moses and Aaron returned to Egypt and called all the elders of Israel together. 30 Aaron told them everything the LORD had told Moses, and Moses performed the miraculous signs as they watched. 31 Then the people of Israel were convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

(O) bservation:
    God has told Moses to take his brother, Aaron, with him as his spokesman to Pharaoh and the Israelites. God does not rely on Moses’ ability to persuade Aaron but appears to him and instructs him to go with Moses and to do all that Moses tells him to do. Aaron does as God commands. The result is encouraging for the people and they then worship. Moses needed the encouragement of a partner and God gave it to him in his brother, Aaron.

(A) pplication:
    When Jesus sent out his disciples, he sent them in pairs. Each one with a partner. My experience is that there is a boldness that comes with a partner that may wane a little when you are alone. It is not a sign of weakness to have a partner. It is good to have a partner with different strengths that your own. As a Senior Pastor my desire was to have staff that were better than me in their areas of ministry. That made our team and ministry stronger and more effective. I have been blessed by the staff teams I have served with and led. There are insecure pastors that are afraid to have competent, skilled staff for fear that it might reflect negatively on them. I just always thought people would about how smart I was to hire such capable and talented staff. When working together much gets accomplished for the kingdom. Today I serve as a staff pastor and my desire is to use my gifts to build and deepen the ministry of New Baptist Church. I am so honored to be a partner in ministry with the staff of New Baptist.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, help me to be the partner that Trent and Lee need me to be. Let me use my gifts to build disciples and deepen the ministry of New Baptist. Amen

Date: 02-01-2021

Title: Excuses

(S) cripture:
    Exodus 4:10-14 (NLT2) But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” 11 Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” 13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” 14 Then the LORD became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.

(O) bservation:
    Moses has offered excuses as to why he is not qualified to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God has patiently answered each excuse, but Moses continues. Moses continues until we are told that God’s anger burned (NASB) against Moses. God gives Aaron, his older brother, to Moses as his spokesperson. God provided for Moses in ways he did not expect.

(A) pplication:
    God shows such patience with me. I am sure he gets tired of my excuses. This passage is a warning to me that there is a limit to how much God will let me complain and make excuses. I do not ever want to have it said that “God’s anger burned against Robin.” My fear is that we have so emphasized God’s love that we have forgotten his anger and wrath. God still hates sin and its effects in our lives. Today I will not offer excuses but will do my best to do what he guides me to do.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me aware when I am making excuses to you. DO what you must in my life to warn me about them. I do not want to kindle your anger against me. I want to walk by faith with you each day fulfilling what you have for me that day. Let me sense your strength and power to follow you that way. Amen

Date: 01-31-2021

Title: Prayer Releases Things

(S) cripture:
    Job 42:7-10 (NLT2)  After the LORD had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has. ⁸  So take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.” ⁹  So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite did as the LORD commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. ¹⁰  When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!

(O) bservation:
    Job has confessed to the Lord and God has spoken to him. God then turns his attention to Job’s friends and sends them to make amends with Jon by offering a sacrifice. Job prays for his friends. God accepts Job’s prayer and then restores all Job had lost. It is interesting to me that Job wasn’t restored until he prayed for the friends that had been accusing him of wrong.

(A) pplication:
    Job’s prayer for his friends released them and brought forgiveness to them. It also released Job’s distraught with his condition before God. God then restored all that Job had lost twice over. I wonder how often I have failed to release others and God’s work in my life by holding on to grudges or ill feelings because I thought I had been wronged. Today I want to be free from the bondage of an unforgiving spirit and experience the abundant life God has promised. I want to be quick to forgive knowing hos much I have and still need forgiveness. I want to release others by praying for them and doing all I can to see them experience the abundant life God offers.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, forgive me and make me aware when I am harboring a grudge. Help me to be quick to pray and forgive as you have forgiven me. Let me see others thrive in you. Amen