Put Down the Calf and Be My Witness

Today's Reading: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Exodus 30:14-16
Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord’s offering. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord’s offering to make atonement for your lives. 16 You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to aremembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”

Answerable to a Mighty God

Today's Reading: Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

Exodus 23:20–21 (ESV)20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.

Choose My Blood or The Destroyer

Today's Reading: Exodus 12-13; Acts 1

Exodus 12:32 (ESV)32 Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!”

To See or Not to See

Today's Reading: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Exodus 9:34 (ESV)34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet again and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

Fear & Love

Today's Reading: Exodus 6-8, Luke 23

Exodus 6:7
I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

It's Not About Me

Today's Reading: Exodus 1-2, Psalms 88, Luke 21

Luke 21:1-4
1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “ Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Take the Son

Today's Reading: Genesis 49-50, Psalms 8, Luke 20

Psalms 8:3-4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Personalize it method (Rick Warren's 40 Days in the Word): Lord please speak to me today and let me know what you are telling me in your Word, amen.

Lord- Thank you for David's psalm about your majesty and your immeasurability. Please remind me of this constantly whenever I would become discouraged by my circumstances. Thank you that although you are immense compared to your creation, your love still drove you to the cross and that was no doing of ours but it was for your good pleasure.

Jeff see the story of the vinyard below and know that my Son is a stumbling block to the Jews. He did not shy away but made it clear to them that He was the coming messiah. They have rejected the wisdom of the prophets and now they reject my Son...

Luke 20:13-18
Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘ What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him. ’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘ This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours. ’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “ What then is this that is written: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone ’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Isaiah 8:13-14
But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Acts 4:11-12
This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Psalms 118:21-22
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

So see Jeff that while the nation Israel is my chosen people, they have not received my Son, without whom there is no salvation. Be certain Jeff that my Son is the cornerstone for everything you attempt to build in your life.

See that Jesus easily managed the deceitful questions of the religious Jews of His day when they tried to trap Him in a statement that could bring Him into captivity of the Romans or otherwise may have harmed His approval amongst the Jews that hated paying taxes to Caesar...

Luke 20:22-25
Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “ Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “ Caesar 's.” 25 He said to them, “ Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar' s, and to God the things that are God 's.”

See Jeff that you are created in my image and Jesus is explaining that you are to surrender yourself to me alone. See Jeff that the life you live is not your own..."render to God the things that are God's."

Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

But also see that I expect you to be subject to authority Jeff. Do not take lightly your need to honor those in authority, for the sake of their role...

1 Peter 2:13-17
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover- up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Next they questioned my Son regarding the resurrection of the dead since some did not believe in this. His response established that I am Lord of all and that He reigns as my Son over all...

Luke 20:34-36
And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

See Jeff that marriage is an institution for this life but not for the one to come as you will each relate to God individually and there will be no further need for procreation. See how my Son continues on regarding the resurrection...

Luke 20:37-38
But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

Jeff, see that Jesus is pointing out that the reference made to the patriarchs is indicating that they live, although they died many years prior to Moses writing about this burning bush experience. So my children live in spirit after their flesh dies. Jeff, invest in the spirit because you will continue on through eternity not in the flesh but in the spirit.

Also see that I am God of all and your life is mine if I am your Lord...

Romans 14:7-9
For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

So see that I am Lord of those that are dead (asleep, really. Awaiting the resurrection of the dead) as well as you and the other believers who are alive. Remember that you interpret scripture with scripture...know that my earlier reference to not being God of the dead was specifically to make the point that the patriarchs were not dead in the sense the Saduccees were thinking.

Jeff, the religious Jews stopped questioning Jesus because they saw that they were completely incapable of trapping him in His words. See that Jesus then went to the offensive and questioned them on their rejection of His identity as the Christ...

Luke 20:41-44
41 But he said to them, “ How can they say that the Christ is David 's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “ Sit at my right hand, 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 44 David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”

See that David, who came long before in the genealogy of Jesus considered the Lord (the messiah) to be His Lord just as He considered God the Father to be his Lord. This is the meaning of the Lord of my Lord. Jesus points out that this relative of David's is in fact the Son of God.

After Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension, see that the disciples declare to the Jews emphatically that my Son is the Christ who brings salvation and that any who would repent and claim Jesus as Lord will be saved...

Acts 2:36-38
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So Jeff, rejoice that you have my Holy Spirit living in you and He will empower you to do my work. Know that your old life of self, your old life of sin, your old life of failure is passed away and it is all nailed to the cross as now you live...

Colossians 2:13-14
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Application:
Today I will make sure that I am offering myself in surrender to God as I belong to Him.
Today I will honor authority.
Today I will rejoice that He considers my failures and my old life to be nailed to the cross.
Today I will seek to me a witness to the salvation that only comes by the Son and I will have compassion on others.

Prayer:
Lord thank you for your Word. Please show me how it is you would have me make the above application today as I proceed at work and through my day. Please guide me in how to surrender and how to best carry your message of redemption to those that would repent and put their trust in you.

In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!
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Strive and Confirm

Todays Reading: Genesis 31-33, Luke 13

Genesis 32:10-12
I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. 11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. 12 But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. ’”

May It Be You Lord

Today's Reading: Genesis 27-28, Psalms 6, Luke 11

Luke 11:2-4
And he said to them, “ When you pray, say: “ Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread, 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Leave a Legacy; Extend Blessing

Today's Reading: Genesis 25-26, Psalms 6, Luke 10

Genesis 26:4-5
I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

Genesis 26:24
And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake.”

The Cost Seems Great Because We Are Blind

Today's Reading: Genesis 23-24, Luke 9

Luke 9:23-24
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Be as The Worm on The Hook

Today's Reading: Genesis 12-14, Luke 5

Luke 5:2-11
and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon 's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “ Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “ Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Before He Made Adam, He Chose The Cross

Today's reading: Genesis6-8, Luke 3

I will call today's study method search and see what you find...

Genesis 6:1-3
Increasing Corruption on Earth
1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”

Shout For Joy or Be Mute, Your Choice.

I started the life journal reading plan today in my Olive Tree Bible App.  This will take me through the old testament once and through the new testament twice in the next 365 days.

Today's Reading: Genesis 1-2 & Luke 1

God's Abundance When We Risk

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Live Worthy, the price was great

Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Personalize it, Pray it method:
Jeff- Be certain that you conduct yourself in light of the message that you take forth for my name's sake.  Whether you are in public or private, let me see that you are standing firm and laboring together with your band of brothers for the active faith needed to spread my message to the unbelievers and to make disciples.  Be sure you do not allow your old nature to rule you and do not be double minded because that is not what I have called you to and does not further my message, but rather that lifestyle will damage the kingdom.

And more Jeff- I sent my only Son to die on a cross for your sake.  He suffered at the hand of His creation and He was separated from Me on the cross.  I had to turn my back to Him in order to buy your salvation.  I am the Holy God of all creation and I need do nothing but my good pleasure.  Yet, it pleases me to bring you into relationship with me and I made great sacrifice to accomplish that.  So tell me- what does a life "worthy" of my message of grace look like?  Do you suppose that I want you to be nice to people and to watch your language and to remember to tithe?  Do you think I want you to try to fit my message into your life?  Is it your life that you live?  How is it that you are breathing right now?  Who has provided every good thing and your actual existence?

Jeff- A manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ is a life fully surrendered to me.  A life that considers all things secondary to Me.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

That is the life worthy of the gospel that I have called you to.  You need to partner with other godly men to truly attain this and to daily stand on top of this wall.

Pray it:
Lord please grant me faith to walk uprightly in the path that you lead me.  May I never allow double-mindedness or the flesh have rule over me again, but may I yield to your Holy Spirit according to 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 30:8
Do not now be stiff- necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the Lord your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.

Lord please bond me together with the surrendered men around me that we may together strive for your gospel to make disciples and bring surrender to more hearts for your glory.

Lord thank you for the sacrifice you made in order to bring this gospel message.  Let me take seriously the gospel message in my life that I would daily surrender my comfort, my schedule, my ambitions, my plan, my being to your Lordship.

Application:
Today I am to consider the gospel message in everything I do so that I am certain to live worthy of the message of Christ, the message of grace by faith as a gift from God.

Today I am to invest in other men around me and partner with them for your glory.  I will be an encourager and I will strive to bring the band shoulder to shoulder walking in the path you give us.

Today I am to take every thought captive in order to not let false teaching or sin reign in me or in my brothers around me according to 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Prayer:
Lord let me apply this directive today.  Please empty me and fill me with your Spirit that you may reign in me.  Thank you Lord for the joy and satisfaction that you bring as I surrender to you and as I look with open eyes at my life.  Please fill me with boldness and resolve to stand firm as the price paid for the message you have given me is great.

Thank you Lord for choosing me for your service.  Please empower me and equip me to go and spread your gospel message as the striving of my life.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.