Exodus 32 - 7.15.26
Scripture: Exodus 32:1
“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
Observation
The people of Israel knew that Moses went up the mountain to talk with God. In fact, just a few chapters earlier in Exodus 24, Moses shared with them everything God had told him from his last trip. And the people replied, “Everything God said, we’ll do. Yes, we’ll obey.” But a short time later, they got tired of waiting and they forgot everything they had promised to do. They thought - we don't need Moses (who they had asked to speak to God on their behalf) - we'll take matters into our own hands.
Application
Was there ever a time you got tired of waiting for God to answer or intervene and you decided to take matters into your own hands? Maybe we didn't trust God to provide, so we took a job that kept us away from fellowship with other believers. Maybe we got tired of waiting for a godly partner and settled for a bad relationship. There are so many times that we justify our actions, when deep down we know that it is not what God wants for us. And like the people of Israel, we pay the consequences.
I'm also struck by how quickly they went from we'll do everything God said to we'll make ourselves a new God. If we don't pursue relationship with God every day, it is amazing how quickly our hearts can become hardened. It seems pretty obvious that God knows what's best for us - far better than we do. And in spite of that we so easily lose faith.
This is where the family of God steps in - to encourage, support, and pray for each other - to hold each other up and strengthen each other's faith.
Hebrews 10:24-2: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”
Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Hebrews 3:13: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Prayer
God, I acknowledge your lordship over my life. I know that you have a purpose and plan for me. Continue to strengthen my faith and help me to trust you in all things. Thank you for the many times you have brought others alongside to pray for me, encourage me, and support me. I pray for others who need their faith strengthened today. Speak to them and let them know of your great love for them. Remind them that you are a good father and your plan is better than anything we could ask or imagine. Amen
- Debbie Dunn
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
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