Archive April 30, 2023

Time To Move On

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Joshua 7

Passage

When Joshua and the Israelites crossed the Jordan it should have been clear to the Canaanites it was time for them to move on. They had heard of what God had done ahead of the arrival of Israel. He even had Joshua spend some time ahead of taking over Jericho to make sure God’s people were prepared in His way. The men were circumcised, and they celebrated the Passover, while the people of Canaan waited (or fled).

This “delay” in taking over the land showed us some of God’s character. Though He was upset and jealous of the Canaanites and their worship of other gods, He showed mercy by giving them time to escape. Ultimately, those who stayed, faced the judgement of death for their disobedience, and we need to remember that timing is in God’s hands and His word always stands.

After Jericho, Joshua sent spies again to scope out the next conquest. The result was that instead of listening to God, Joshua relied on his own experience and skills to try to guide the results. He soon learned that instead of sticking with our own expertise, and familiarity trying to accomplish something for God, we need to listen, and watch what He can do.

Following Instructions

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Joshua 2

Passage

The time from Moses to Joshua includes several instances where God provided clear instructions on what He wanted the people to do. However, like many of us, we tend to adjust with our own ideas on what God is asking.

When the Israelites were asked to go into the Promised Land the first time, God provided specific instructions for them to bring back some information, making it clear that God was going to deliver the land to them, but instead of trusting God, they panicked.  When Moses was instructed to tell the rock to bring forth water, he used his staff like he did the first time. These disobendient events had consequences, but did not prevent God from accomplishing His plan.

Looking at God’s character we can see that when He provides instructions, they are precise and specific. God is able to accomplish His work in spite of out disobedience, and His purpose will not be thwarted by our disobedience. We also see that it tends to work a lot better when we align with God’s plan and listen to Him.

Getting Ready for God’s Divine Presence

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Exodus 25-40

Passage

The story of the building of the tabernacle is filled with the detailed instructions from God on how He wanted the place He was to occupy be constructed. All the way down to the bases used to hold up the poles supporting the curtains. All this detail allowed the people to show they were capable of obeying God, even to the lowest level.

When He asked for people to help physically and financially, He wanted those with a heart for serving. When the people had raised enough to build the tabernacle, He told them to stop, which was also provided a test to show they were obedient. The goal was not to build the best tabernacle ever designed by man, but to follow the instruction of God, even when He said it is done.

Jesus also gave us instructions to love one another, even our enemies, and the make disciples. Today it is easy to get distracted by human thinking and try to make our own way to serve. We need to remember that Jesus’ instruction is simple, and it only costs us our commitment.

Joshua

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We will be using a new format for the book of Joshua. The author of the Joshua study was contacted for the purpose of finding out what could and could not be done with his material. The questions and content are not able to be posted because it has a copyright. The copyright gives the church the ability to make copies for the study, but does not allow it to post the questions on the church website.

There will be copies of the questions for each weeks reading of Joshua at the church. Contact Janice or the church office if you would like more information about this study or the change of format.

Currently Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby is scheduled to start the first week in June. More information about this study will be posted later.

Believe

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Luke 24:8-35

Passage

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this week we reflect on Danny’s message last week about finding that inner space to be with God. As you spend time with family and friends this holiday, be sure to find some time to reflect and spend time with Jesus too.

This week we had some special music from our choir, and have recorded the entire service in video. The audio only includes Danny’s sermon, which starts at about 40 minutes into the video.

EXODUS CHAPTERS 35-40

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Chapter 35

Vs’s 4 -9: This is about the heart.  What does your heart call you to contribute to God on a regular basis?

Vs’s 10-19: What skill do you have? 

How do you use it for the Lord?

Vs’s 20-30: Do you tend to contribute just because everyone around is contributing?

Vs 31: God filled Bezalel with “the Spirit of God”.  What was Bezalel to do with the filling of the Spirit?  What has God filled His Spirit within you to do?

Chapter 36

Vs’s 2-7: The contributions they have was partially as a result of plundering Egypt.

Have you seen God take something that was painful or troublesome in your life and use it to contribute to Him? (My example is the years I spent going into the prison to visit my son. The enemy took away our family life as we knew it.  God allowed me to see my pain as an opportunity to contribute it to Him by helping others in their pain and suffering.)

Vs’s 8-38

God goes into great-detail for building His earthly tabernacle. What detail in your life does He ask you to build for Him? (example, He is asking me to build a stronger prayer life.)

Chapter 37

When thinking about a meeting place for the church today, do you think it needs to be decorative or beautiful? Why or why not?

Chapter 38

God uses bronze and silver for some of the items.  Do you see these items as less valuable or having less honor? Why or why not?

Vs 8: This role for women was given by God.  The Bible does not explain their role other than serving at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.  Do you believe this was a special place of service for God?  Why or why not?

Chapter 39

Vs 30: “Holy to the Lord”. In your life if you wore a hat for others to see these words stamped on it, would it cause you to act differently?

Would you speak differently?

Would you respond differently?

Vs 43: Moses was given the task of inspecting the work to insure it was completed correctly.  Has God given you a spiritual leader, one who gives instructions from God on how to build your tabernacle? 

Would you want that spiritual leader to inspect your spiritual life to see if you completed the work the Lord had asked?

What would the spiritual leader see in your life in which you receive a blessing?

Chapter 40

Vs’s 1-8: Have you arranged your life for Jesus or have you arranged Jesus to fit into your life? 

Here are two ways to decide. 

  1. I give Jesus permission to remove everything in my life that He does not want. 
  2. I like the _____________in my life.  Jesus will forgive me.

Vs’s 17-29: Can doing “as the Lord commanded” be an area of arrogance in your life?

Can doing “as the Lord commanded” be humility in your life?

Vs 33: Looking back in your life what work(s) have you finished for God?

Vs’s 36-37: How do you know when you are to sit and wait until the Lord moves?

How do you know when the Lord moves?

REFLECT: Looking back throughout your journey with the children of Israel thus far, what truth has God given to you for your life as you move into the promise land with Him?

Finishing the book of Exodus this week, take time to reflect over the questions and your responses to them.   Write a prayer to God about your responses.  This will probably include thankfulness, regret, and forgiveness.   Allow the Spirit to confirm where there is newness in your life.  Allow the Spirit to show areas of concern in which changes need to be made.  Allow the Spirit to bring joy into the places where the enemy has robbed.   

From the Pastor

Looking at this chapter as well as the book of Exodus, what Character(s) of God do you see in your life?

The Tabernacle

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Exodus 23-28

Passage

This week in Exodus we open up with God’s plan for His people on how they are going to move into the Promised Land and push out the people with God’s help. He tells how the people will fear them and they will be able to conquer with little effort. If they follow. However, as we remember the story of the spies and how they persuaded the people to turn from trusting God to help them, things went much different.

The reading goes on to the description of the Tabernacle and how it is to be constructed. Digging in to the details, we can begin to see how the Tabernacle was a foreshadowing of our life in Christ. In the Tabernacle there was the Ark of the Covenant, which contained examples of a testimony of what God has done, a demonstration of the Power of God, and God’s Standards and Values. This was maintained in the Holy of Holies area of the Tabernacle.

Our bodies are also to be considered as a Temple, and our heart is a representation of the Holy of Holies, where we draw close to God in a private and personal way. Our hearts should be able to provide the same examples to others as mentioned above. What do we keep in our hearts that does not make room for God’s story in our life?

EXODUS CHAPTERS 29-34

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Chapter 29

Define ordination as used in this chapter –

Define atonement as used in this chapter –

Define ritual as used in this chapter-

After reading this chapter:

Do you think ritual consecration of ministers is important for the church today as it was for ancient Israel?

Reading about these rituals, how did they benefit the priest?

How did they benefit the people?

How did they benefit God?

Thinking of the priests, has God asked you to separate yourself for a particular service to Him?

Thinking of rituals, do/would they draw you closer to God or do/would they hinder your ability to feel His presence?

Chapter 30

Vs 7  When thinking of burning incense, what image do you have?

Read 2nd Corinthians 2:15. How are you a fragrant aroma to the Lord?

Vs 9   Read Leviticus 10:1-3.  What are your thoughts?

Vs’ 12-15  Thinking of Jesus being your ransom, do these verses bring you comfort?

Chapter 31

Vs’ 2-6  What qualifies you for a task?

Read Luke 19:12-24 and Matthew 25:14-28.  Have a conversation with God about any task He has given you.

After reading the chapter, when told everything to do and exactly how to do it, how do you respond?

Chapter 32

Vs 16  What in your life has been written by the hand of God?

After reading the chapter:

What do you do when you haven’t heard from God in a while?

Why do you think you have those spiritual dry spells?

Think of what you know is God’s will for you, how have you been faithful?

Write your questions and thoughts about this chapter?

Chapter 33

Vs’ 7-11  Where do you meet with God?

Vs 13   Finding favor with God is so simple, but not so easy.  What do you know God has taught you about Himself?

Vs 15 Personalize this verse.

Vs’ 18-19   What did Moses ask from God? (Hebrew word used is KABOD)

What did God give Moses? (Hebrew word used is TUWB)

Have you asked God for one thing and God gave you something different? 

Chapter 34

Vs 9   Define obstinate/stiff-necked.

Do you recognize where you are obstinate/stiff-necked?

Write a prayer of confession to God about it, asking Him to help you destroy it in your life?

Do you recognize where you are a possession/inheritance of God?

Write a new prayer of thanksgiving to God, giving Him glory.

Vs 10 How do you think you would react if God seemed to be doing something unusual in your eyes?

Vs 12  Read 2nd Corinthians 6:14-17.  How is this accomplished in your life?

Vs’ 13-14   Read 2nd Corinthians 10:4-6. Have you ever had to destroy an altar you have built in your life which was not pleasing to God?

FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH – Vs 14   God has given Himself a new name to the people.  He was God Almighty and Jehovah (Strong’s concordance translate it ‘the Lord’ or ‘the existing One’) in Exodus 6:3. The Hebrew word QANNA’ (Jealous) is only used of God according the Strong’s concordance.

Has He ever had to let you know His name is Jealous in your life?

FROM THE PASTOR – What character(s) of God did you see in these chapters?

How have you seen this/these characters in your life or in the life of those around you?

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