February 12

Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6

Moses had such a special relationship with God. He would have serious conversations with God to the point that God would listen to his opinion. Moses had received the law but he knew he needed more than that.

Moses’ prayer was for God to “travel with them”. Wherever they were going, Moses wanted God to lead the way. God consents to do that and He promises to drive out all of Israel’s enemies too. They are going to enjoy God’s presence, power and provision.

One thing God will not tolerate is a divided heart of loyalty. God is willing to open up His good treasure of blessings to us but only if we are exclusively His. God says that He is jealous for us. Many people have misinterpreted this statement.  It simply means that God is passionate about being in relationship with us. God doesn’t want anyone or anything to come between His relationship with His creation.

If there is any area where God is not premier, surrender it today so you can enjoy the fullness of God’s presence.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8

February 11

Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36

Moses took too long to come back and the people returned to their old ways. Even after all they had experienced from the Hand of God, Moses’ absence caused them to question God’s involvement in their lives. So, what did they do? They returned to what they knew.

They took the gold that God had provided for them as they fled from Egypt and molded a gold calf. Why a calf? It was the god of the Egyptians. Have you ever noticed how we are prone to return to the old idols we were exposed to when it appears that God is taking a long time to respond?

The Israelites, with the consent of Aaron, took the blessings of God and converted them into an idol. Is there an area in your life where you have taken God’s blessing and made it an idol? It could be a relationship, a job, a car, house, or money. God blessed you with it and rather than being thankful to the Giver, you begin to worship the gift! Search your heart today to see if there are idols that you have erected.

If so, renounce them and submit to the Powerful Name of Jesus. Just because you can’t see God working doesn’t mean that He isn’t.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6

February 10

Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32

The Fourth Commandment that God gave to Israel said, “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.”

This commandment was so important that once the Tabernacle was built and the priests were consecrated, God tells Moses to remind the people to honor the Sabbath. What makes the Sabbath so important? Is it just because we get to rest? No, we learn why the Sabbath is so important by today’s reading.

The Sabbath was given, “…so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. God wants us to rest we can see clearly Who He is and all that He has done for us. When we are resting in Him, we recognize that His power is what makes the difference. In truth, we should be in a state of rest everyday because we have Jesus who did all the work for us!

We have stress in our lives because we take on what should be left in God’s hands. Today, commit to rest in God knowing that He has your life– completely. Do it, not because it is a commandment, but because you will discover the Mighty Works of God!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36

February 9

Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26

Now that the Tabernacle was erected and the priests were selected, they had to be consecrated (set apart) for the Lord’s service. God chose one substance to purify the people and the appointments in the Tabernacle: Blood!

It was the blood of animals that was used to perform the consecration and ordination of the priests. Moreover, once the priests were set apart, they still had to perform daily sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. Imagine the sheer amount of blood that was produced on a daily basis as sacrifices were made to cover the sins of the people. When the day was over, they had to repeat the same process, day after day, year after year.

Thank God for Jesus! The Bible says that, “Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.” (Hebrews 7:27) The blood of bulls, goats and rams could only last for one day. Jesus’ blood lasts forever! Jesus is the Perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! Be thankful today that your past sins, faults and failures are not only forgiven but your slate is wiped clean!!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32

February 8

Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13

After God lays out the details of the Tabernacle, He turns to the role that the priest was to play. You see, the people could not approach God directly so they needed an intermediary. The priest served in that role. He represented God to the people and the people to God.

A role this significant had to have the right appointments. From the turban to the breastplate, each item has significance. The Breastplate had 12 stones, which represented all the tribes of Israel. So, when the priest ministered before the Lord, the priest stood in for all of Israel.

The priest represented everyone. This priest was only a type or foreshadowing of the Great High Priest, Jesus, who would come. Jesus today is praying for us– each of us! Whatever you need, or are facing, Jesus is calling your name out to God.

What a powerful image! Jesus praying to His Father for you! How could you ever worry or fret knowing that Jesus is praying for you? Trust His prayers for you! They really work!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26

February 7

Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11

The Tabernacle was made with such precision. From the smallest detail, each element of the Tabernacle’s construction had significance. This is the first “home” that God designed for himself.

Not only were the outer walls and appointments carefully crafted but the layout was also significant. The centerpiece of the tabernacle was the altar where the sacrifices were made. God prepared the best for his Tabernacle. From the precious metals to the purple, scarlet and blue fabrics to the goatskin, God made certain that His Tabernacle would bring Him glory.

This Tabernacle was to be a temporary dwelling for God. It was not meant to house His presence forever. Fast forward to the New Testament: Paul says that our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. No longer does God desire to dwell among curtains and brass and gold. But, He desires to live inside of us!

The greatest difference is that the Tabernacle was made with human hands. God’s Temple today is hand crafted by God Himself. God made you a masterpiece so that He can dwell within you. Invite Him today to live within.

“Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary. Pure and Holy, Tried and True. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living, Sanctuary for you!”

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13

February 6

Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27

Angels are an underutilized spiritual resource that God makes available to us. In the middle of listing all the “Do’s” and “Don’ts,” God makes a powerful promise: He is dispatching an angel to lead, guide and protect them.

Do you see how much God is committed to your success? He had his Pillar of Fire and Cloud and God sent angels to lead and protect. His only admonition was to listen to them. Angels are messengers from God who are assigned to do God’s bidding on the earth.

Do you know that Angels are watching over you right now? God has Angels assigned to your life. It is their sole assignment. You have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit and you have the powerful ministry of Angels available to you. God’s Angel’s will fight on your behalf and they will also minister encouragement to you as well.

Don’t neglect this ministry. Just like Israel needed Angels, so do we. Every day we need to know that we have supernatural protection over our lives. If we will let them lead and protect us, we will always be in the right place at the right time.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11

February 5

Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

When will the end of times come? For centuries people have attempted to pinpoint a specific date and all have been wrong. Some have looked at the many wars raging around the world. They have looked at the strange weather patterns that have caused hurricanes, tsunamis, and tornadoes. We have seen inexplicable earthquakes and other “natural events” which seemed to harken the end of time.

All of these things are signs that the end is near but they are not what will trigger Jesus’ return. As darkness spreads around the world the gross darkness will not hasten his return. What will trigger Jesus’ return is people coming to know who He is. “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

When we share with others the love of Jesus that is what will hasten His return. Every time you perform an act of kindness and let people know how much God loves them, you are speeding up Jesus’ return. It’s not the bad that happens it’s the numbers of people who hear the Good News. Will you commit today to sharing your faith so that others join God’s family?

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27

February 4

Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5

The introduction of the Law was an awe-inspiring event. Moses was summoned to the top of Mt. Sinai and a strict prohibition was placed on the children of Israel not to approach the mountain. There, God gave the law to Moses. These 10 commandments were the cornerstone of civil society.

Though they were so simple and straightforward, God knew that humans could never keep them completely. And, the way the law works is this: if you break one, you break them all. In truth, the first one is the one we break the most: “You must not have any other God before me.”

God knew our tendency was to wander and go looking for other gods to serve. Try as we may, we cannot perfectly keep all the tenets of the law. God knew this. In fact, it was the giving of the law that showed us how much we needed a savior.

So now, we are not under the law but grace. In Jesus, we don’t have to adhere to a bunch of rules and regulations. We have the perfect law of liberty at work in our lives. All our trespasses are forgiven. All of our failings are washed in the blood of Jesus. What a burdensome way to live when you live under the law! You can never have true relationship with a bunch of “do’s” and “don’ts.”

God loves us and wants us to come to Him drawn by His love not fearful of His wrath. Thank God today that you are not under law but under God’s Amazing Grace.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23

February 3

Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35

We are better together! Many people have the misconception that all they need is God on their side and they can dismiss people. That could not be farther from the truth. God actually draws people to us so that He can work through them to help us accomplish our purpose.

Joshua was assigned to fight the Amalakites. Moses’ job was to hold up his staff. After some time, Moses’ arms became tired. As soon as he put his arms down, the battle turned against Israel. Thank God for his foresight. God had Aaron and Hur with Moses because he needed some help. Aaron and Hur had Moses sit down and they held his arms up for him until the battle was over.

Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, comes for a visit and sees Moses trying to lead Israel by himself. Jethro gives Moses a plan for how he can delegate some of the responsibilities to others. It lightened Moses’ load.

There are people God has assigned to your life to help you. Be sensitive to those God-sent people because they have the answer to a challenge you will face. They could be in your small group or serving with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you because we really are better together.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5