April 12 -- "Heartfelt Generosity"

 Today's Reading:  Exodus 25

"Heartfelt Generosity"

Here, God instructs Moses to ask the people of Israel to contribute to the construction of the Tabernacle (a portable sanctuary that the Israelites could use to worship God). But He specifies that the contribution should be voluntary and should come from anyone "whose heart moves him."

The phrase "whose heart moves him" suggests that God is interested in contributions that are given out of a sense of willingness and desire, rather than obligation or duty. God is not setting a specific amount or percentage that each person must give, but rather He is interested in the attitude and motivation behind the giving.

This principle of voluntary, heartfelt giving is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, the Apostle Paul writes, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This passage emphasizes that God is less concerned with the amount that we give, and more concerned with the attitude and motivation behind our giving.

Ultimately, the idea behind "anyone whose heart is moved" is that God desires His people to give generously and joyfully, out of a sense of gratitude for all that He has done for them.  When we give freely and with a willing heart, we demonstrate our faith and trust in God, and contribute to the work that He is doing in the world.

Through their generous contributions, the people of Israel were able to create a sacred space where they could worship God and experience His presence in a tangible way. As we give more of ourselves, our time, and our resources to God and to others, we too can develop a deeper understanding of the needs of those around us and a greater empathy and compassion for others. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in our own lives, as we become more fully aligned with God's will and purposes.

April 11 -- "Little By Little"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 23 & 24

"Little By Little"

In today’s passage, God is promising to help the Israelites conquer the land of Canaan, which He has promised to give them as an inheritance.

The "little by little" principle referred to in this verse is a concept that can be applied to spiritual growth and maturity. In this sense, "them" would refer to any obstacles or challenges that an individual may face in their spiritual growth, such as doubts, fears, or temptations. It also refers to the spiritual forces of evil, such as demons or the devil, that may seek to hinder or obstruct an individual's spiritual growth. Just as God promised to help the Israelites conquer the land of Canaan gradually, over time, rather than all at once, the process of spiritual growth is often a gradual one.

The Almighty God certainly could have instantly leveled all of Israel’s enemies to the ground if He chose to do so. But, in His wisdom, He called the Israelites to instead “fight the good fight of faith.” In doing so, their faith was strengthened and their spiritual resolve solidified. As it turned out, their full possession of the Land would take many years and many battles to achieve.

In the same way, God could (if He chose to) conquer all of your challenges and enemies and weaknesses and sins in one fell swoop. But, in His wisdom, He has chosen the path of “little by little” as the means to spiritual maturity for His children.

This "little by little" principle emphasizes the importance of patience and persistence. It is often through consistent and intentional effort over time that we are able to make progress in our spiritual lives, rather than through sudden and dramatic changes.  Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." This verse encourages believers to continue on the path of righteousness, knowing that their spiritual lives will grow and mature over time, just as the light of dawn gradually increases until the full light of day.

The process of spiritual growth and maturity involves a variety of practices, including prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, and serving others. By engaging in these practices regularly, we can gradually deepen our relationship with God, become more mature in our faith, and conquer every enemy along the way.

April 10 -- "Treatment of Sojourners"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 22

"Treatment of Sojourners"

What is the best immigration policy and how should we treat immigrants and refugees?

Today’s verse reminds us of our obligation to show love and compassion towards those who are not from our community or country. The Israelites themselves were once “sojourners” (foreigners) in Egypt, and they experienced firsthand the pain and suffering of being oppressed and mistreated.

As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Christ, who showed love and kindness to all, regardless of their background or nationality. We are reminded that God's love extends to all people, and as His followers, we must also extend that love to others.

It is easy to fear or distrust those who are different from us, but this verse calls us to overcome those fears and prejudices and to treat others with respect and kindness. We must remember that every person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

In today's world, we see many examples of mistreatment and oppression of foreigners, whether it be through immigration policies, discrimination, or violence. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to stand against these injustices and to show love and compassion to all, especially those who are most vulnerable.

In the New Testament, Jesus often taught about loving your neighbor as yourself and showed this love through his interactions with people from all walks of life, including foreigners and marginalized groups.

In Matthew 25:35, for example, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." This verse emphasizes the importance of showing hospitality and compassion towards others in need, just as Exodus 22:21 does.

April 9 -- "Eye For Eye"

  Today's Reading: Exodus 21

"Eye For Eye"

These verses are a part of the Old Testament law code given to the Israelites by God through Moses. This particular section of the law deals with the principles of retribution and restitution for wrongs committed.

Verse 23 specifies that if harm is done to a person, then the offender is to be punished accordingly. The punishment must fit the crime, and in some cases, it may be a matter of "life for life" – in other words, the offender may face the death penalty.

This law was intended to ensure that justice was done in cases of wrongdoing, and that the punishment was proportional to the offense. It was also designed to deter people from committing crimes, knowing that they would face serious consequences if they did.

Jesus addressed the principle of "an eye for an eye" in his teachings, specifically in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:38-39. In this passage, Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

In His teaching on this, Jesus is not negating the Old Testament law, but rather he is correcting a misinterpretation of it. Jesus is teaching that the principle of "an eye for an eye" should not be used as an excuse for personal revenge or retaliation. Rather, he is encouraging his followers to respond to evil with love and forgiveness, rather than seeking retribution.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in his letters to the early Christian communities in Ephesians 4:32, he instructs his readers to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." As followers of Christ, our quest should be reconciliation rather than retribution.

April 8 -- "God is Numbah One"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 20

"God is Numbah One"

The Ten Commandments are comprised of ten concise and powerful statements which cover a range of topics, including the worship of God, the sanctity of life, and the importance of respecting others. The Commandments are an expression of God's will for His people and serve as a guide for how we should live our lives in relationship with God and with one another. They are considered to be the foundation of the moral code in Judaism and Christianity.

The first of these Commandments, “you shall have no other gods before me,” sets the foundation for the entire set of Commandments. It is a call for the Israelites to worship and serve only one God, and to not place any other gods or idols before Him. In Hawaiian pidgin, this verse is translated, “God is Numbah One.” This emphasizes the preeminence of God as the number ("numbah") one pursuit over all other things, persons, or pursuits.

This commandment applies to us today, as it reminds us of the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. In today's world, there are many things that can compete for our attention and devotion, such as material possessions, career success, or relationships. However, this Commandment reminds us that nothing should take the place of God in our lives.

To apply this commandment to our lives, we should seek to make God the center of our lives and prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. This means devoting time to prayer, studying the Bible, and seeking His will for our lives. We should also be aware of anything in our lives that might be competing for our devotion to God and work to remove those distractions.

In Matthew 22:37-38 (ESV), Jesus says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment."

Jesus is essentially emphasizing the same message as the first Commandment, but He expands upon it by adding the importance of loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. This means that we should not only avoid placing any other gods before Him, but we should also love and worship Him wholeheartedly. This statement emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God above all other things.

April 7 -- "God’s Awesome Power on Display"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 19

"God’s Awesome Power on Display"

Exodus 19:18 describes the awesome spectacle that occurred when the Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God. The verse says, "Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly."

This event was a profound and awe-inspiring display of God's power and glory. The smoke that enveloped the mountain symbolized the presence of God, who had descended upon the mountain in fire. The smoke was so thick that it was reminiscent of the smoke that would come from a kiln, which would have been an intense and intimidating sight for the Israelites.

The trembling of the mountain added to the spectacle, demonstrating the immense power of God. The very ground beneath their feet was shaking, emphasizing that the event was not just a simple occurrence, but rather a monumental moment in the history of the Israelites.

All of these elements combined to create a truly awe-inspiring and humbling experience for the Israelites. The spectacle was meant to impress upon them the majesty and power of God, and to remind them of His authority over all things. It was a moment that they would never forget, and it served as a powerful reminder of the covenant that they were about to enter into with God.

The spectacle of Mount Sinai can serve as a reminder for us today of the power and majesty of God. It can be easy to get caught up in the stresses and distractions of everyday life and forget the magnitude of the God we serve. The same God who created the universe and displayed His power at Mount Sinai is still with us today. The Israelites recognized the power and majesty of God and were humbled by His presence. In the same way, we should approach God with a heart of humility and recognize His greatness and authority.

April 6 -- "Take Some Advice: Share the Load"

 Today's Reading:  Exodus 18

"Take Some Advice: Share the Load"

It is not wise to try to do everything by ourselves. This is the message from Jethro to Moses in Exodus 18.

Moses was serving as the sole judge for the Israelites, listening to hundreds of their disputes and settling them. Jethro, Moses father-in-law, advised Moses to delegate some of his responsibilities to others who were trustworthy and capable, so that he would not wear himself out and be able to focus on the most important matters.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul compares the church to a human body. Each part of the body has a unique function, and all the parts work together to make the body function properly. Similarly, in the Body of Christ, each member has a unique gift or ability, and all members are meant to work together for the common good.

Applying this to the lesson of Exodus 18:17-18, it means that we should not try to do everything ourselves, but rather recognize that we are part of a larger community with different gifts and abilities. We can delegate tasks and ask for help from other members of the Body of Christ who are gifted in areas where we may not be. By doing so, we can work more effectively and efficiently, and the Body of Christ as a whole can function better.

Therefore, both Exodus 18:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 12 teach us the importance of recognizing our limitations and working together with others to achieve our goals. We are not meant to work alone, but rather as part of a larger community where each member plays a vital role.

So if you are attempting to accomplish things on your own, it’s probably time you took some advice from Jethro, “This is no way to go about it. You’ll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can’t do this alone.” (The Message)