Exodus 31 - 7.14.26

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 31: 1-11

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

OBSERVATION

In this passage, The Lord appointed Bezalel to craft the sacred vessels for the tabernacle, His dwelling place among His people. Not only did the Lord give Bezalel the honorable position, He equipped Bezalel with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and most importantly filled him with His Spirit to complete the task. Oholiab was also blessed by helping Bezalel, and the Lord blessed others with skill and knowledge. These talents would be essential for the redemption and atonement practices for the Israelites which would draw them closer and usher in the presence of God. The Lord was redeeming His people and partnering with them to achieve His plan.

APPLICATION

1 Peter 4:10-11 says that each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

God has blessed each of us with different talents and gifts to glorify Him and to serve others. Gifts and talents are to be used and not hidden. Jesus will not only appoint us believers, but He will also equip us to serve with the gifts that He has blessed us with. What are our talents and passions? Can we use it to serve God and others in the Body of Christ? If we feel inadequate or not good enough, God can and will equip us if He is calling us. Bezalel and the other craftsmen were not experts at their craft until God blessed him.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for blessing and equipping us with various gifts and talents. I pray that You can lay it on each of our hearts and draw us closer to You to know what You are calling us to do in Your house. I pray that we can bless others but ultimately serve You with such gifts. Lastly, I want to thank You, Jesus, for blessing me with my brothers and sisters in the Church who have had a great impact on my family an me with their gifts and callings. You have appointed, equipped, blessed and filled them to edify many souls. I pray that You can strengthen us all to partner with You for the work that You have in store, Amen.

- Darrence Hamilton

Matthew 13 - 7.13.26

Scripture

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Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.””

Observation

This parable about the mustard seed was used to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven was like.

“The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase;…..From these parables we are taught to expect a gradual progress.”(Matthew Henry on Christianity.com)

Basically, the spread of the Gospel and the Church starts small, like a mustard seed; but the Kingdom of God would gradually grow just like a very large tree-larger than any other garden plant around it.

Application

It doesn’t take much for the Kingdom of God to grow, but we need to do our part. We need to have faith.

Where else is a mustard seed mentioned in the Bible? If you said with faith, you are correct!

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭‬20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” -Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If we start with faith as small as a mustard seed, that faith has the ability to grow even greater! God can do impossible things with a little. God sees the potential growth! He just needs a little faith.

The growth of the church is the same as the growth of faith in individuals. It starts off as something as small as a mustard seed, but can gradually grow into a large tree that gives shade (a.k.a. comfort, nourishment and a home) to others around it.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for revealing to me the parallel between faith and the Kingdom of God. Thank You that You don’t require much faith from me to further Your Kingdom since You are the One Who makes all things grow. Please forgive me for my lack of faith and when I get discouraged when my faith is not big enough. Please help me remember that every small seed of faith eventually grows into something great! I pray that my small faith continues to grow greater in order to further Your Kingdom. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew 10 - 7.10.26

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-13

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

Observation: 

The disciples have been watching Jesus heal the sick and do other miracles.  Now, he is sending them out on their own to do as He has done.  They were told not to bring any money to fund their journey or spare clothing.  Jesus encouraged them to give what they have received.  They are to go proclaiming that the Kingdom of Heaven has come and do miracles.  When they entered a town and lodging at a home of a person worthy, those who live there would receive a blessing of peace.

This was a huge endeavor for the disciples.  They needed to go out with a bold amount of faith.  Until this point there is no record of them doing miracles. Jesus was pushing them out into the fire. Sometimes it takes getting out of our comfort zone to have the miraculous flow through us.

Application: 

It is easy to think you are not supposed to go out on a journey, mission trip, or other faith challenging mission until we have enough money and other supplies we need.  Jesus had the disciples go out with just the clothes on their backs.  He told them to freely give as they have received.  I need to remember this when I feel God nudging to do something.  He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. 

Also, to train those who I am working with in ministry and then challenge them to go out with a partner on their own.  We heard a great teaching at the Pacific Region Conference on how to train a disciple.  Have the person you are discipling watch you do the task, then talk about it.  You do with them helping, talk about it.  They do, with your help and talk about it.  They do on their own.  Talk about it.  We discussed the key we often forget is the “talk about it part”. Jesus made disciples we are to follow His example.

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you that your heart is to equip us to do the work you’ve done.  Help me to follow your example to step out in faith as you instructed the disciples.  I need to trust you more for your provision.  Also, may you work through me to follow your example of training and sending out others.  Please keep my eyes open for opportunities.  I know the key is listening to you and going where you lead me.  Thank you for your example and provision.  May I give to others as you have given me.  Amen

- Cindy Howard