April 18 -- "When Preparedness Meets Willingness"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 31

"When Preparedness Meets Willingness"

In this verse, God is describing a man named Bezalel whom He has chosen to oversee the construction of the Tabernacle. God chose Bezalel because He had given him the necessary skills and talents to carry out the work. Bezalel was specifically chosen by God to be the chief artisan and craftsman, and God's Spirit empowered him to excel in his work.

The Bible also suggests that Bezalel was chosen for this task because he was willing and obedient to God's call. Exodus 35:30-35 states that Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab (another skilled craftsman) and filled them with the Spirit of God to do the work of the Tabernacle. The text emphasizes that they were "wise-hearted" and willing to serve in this task.

When someone is called by God to a particular task, it means that God has a specific purpose and plan for their life, and that they have been chosen to carry out that plan. It also means that their heart was willing and obedient to God’s call.

This can be a deeply fulfilling and rewarding experience for the person who is called, as they are able to serve God and make a meaningful impact on the world. When someone is called by God, they are empowered by His Spirit and given the necessary skills and resources to carry out their mission.

Moreover, when someone is prepared by God to fulfill their calling, they are equipped with the knowledge, wisdom, and character traits needed to succeed in their mission. This can include both spiritual and practical skills, such as leadership abilities, communication skills, a deep understanding of God's Word, or (as in the case of Bezalel) the ability to oversee an important construction project.

It is a wonderful thing when God's calling is clearly upon a person's life and He has prepared them to fulfill that calling. It is a testament to God's love and faithfulness, as He guides and empowers His people to carry out His plan for their lives. What is He preparing you for? Is your heart willing to follow His leading and be obedient to His call? Respond to His call and see what a wonderful thing it is when preparedness meets willingness.

April 17 -- "Anointed and Consecrated"

Today's Reading:  Exodus 30 

"Anointed and Consecrated"

My dear child, I am the One who loves you and watches over you every day. In Exodus 30:30, I spoke to my people through Moses and instructed them to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests, setting them apart for service to me.

The term "anoint" means to smear, drench, or rub with oil. Anointing with oil was a sign of consecration, of being set apart for a special purpose. I wanted my people to understand the importance of the priestly role and the sacredness of their service to me.

As my child, I want you to understand that you too are called to a special purpose, a purpose that I have planned for you since before you were born. You are not just an ordinary person, but a child of God, set apart for My service.

Just as I anointed Aaron and his sons, I want to anoint you with my Holy Spirit, filling you with power and strength to fulfill the purpose that I have for you. I want you to know that you are not alone in this, but that I am with you always, guiding you and leading you on your journey.

I want you to trust in Me and seek my guidance in all that you do. Allow Me to anoint you with my Spirit, filling you with the wisdom and understanding you need to fulfill your purpose. Let your life be a reflection of my love and grace, shining like a light in the darkness and pointing others towards Me.

Do not be content with just a “smidgen” or “dab” of the Holy Spirit upon your life. Instead, seek My full anointing of power and blessing – be drenched by it! Anointing with the Holy Spirit's presence and power is a deeply meaningful experience for those who receive it.

Remember that you are my precious child, and that I have great plans for you. Trust in me, and let my anointing empower you to do all that I have called you to do.

April 16 -- "The God Who Meets With Us"

Today's Reading: Exodus 29 

"The God Who Meets With Us"

Today’s verse is part of a larger passage that outlines the instructions for consecrating the priests and the Tabernacle for worship in ancient Israel. Our verse tells us that God will meet with the people of Israel in the Tabernacle and that the Tabernacle will be sanctified, or made holy, by God's glory.

In the context of the passage, this indicates that the consecration of the priests and the Tabernacle is necessary for the people of Israel to worship God in a manner that is pleasing to Him. This was a process by which the priests were set apart and prepared for service to God.

This verse contains a profound and astonishing promise from the LORD – that He will “MEET” with the people. The idea is that if the priests and the people follow God’s prescribed blueprint for dedicating the Tabernacle and consecrating the priests, that He would “come out from hiding” and manifest Himself to them, making His presence known to His people. What an amazing promise!

The Bible repeatedly declares that it is the desire of our Creator to meet with His created beings. His will is for us to have a close personal connection with Him as we journey through life on Earth. He is not a far-away God, nor a hidden God. He is ever ready to meet with us by revealing His presence to us.  All He asks is that we prepare for such an experience by sanctifying and consecrating our lives to Him.

One of the primary effects of meeting with God is a deepening of your faith and sense of spiritual connection. When a person encounters a meeting with God, they experience a sense of awe, reverence, and humility that comes from being in the presence of a Supernatural and Almighty Being. This can lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of God's power, love, and grace, and a desire to live in accordance with His will. Encountering God in this way is a life-altering experience that brings a sense of peace, purpose, and joy to our lives. And it is not far away from any one of us.

God desires to have a relationship with His people and is always available to come out from hiding to meet with us when we follow His prescribed blueprint for our lives.

April 15 -- "Israel on Aaron's Heart"

Today's Reading: Exodus 28 

"Israel on Aaron's Heart"

This verse is part of a section in the book of Exodus that describes the garments that were to be worn by Aaron, the high priest, and his sons when they served in the Tabernacle.

The “breastpiece of judgment” referred to in this verse was a piece of clothing worn by the high priest over his heart. It contained twelve precious stones, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and was used to help the high priest make decisions and seek guidance from God.

The main functions of the priests were twofold, firstly to represent God before the people. They were responsible for teaching and interpreting the law of God to the people. They were considered the spiritual leaders of the community and were expected to guide the people in their understanding and practice of God's commandments.

The second function of the priests was to represent the people before God. As representatives of the people, they were responsible for mediating between God and the people. They were expected to intercede on behalf of the people, offer prayers and petitions to God, and seek his favor and blessing for the community.

In this verse, God instructs Aaron to bear the names of the sons of Israel on his breastpiece of judgment when he goes into the Holy Place to serve as a reminder of the people he is serving. This symbolized Aaron's role as the representative of the people before God and demonstrated that he carried their concerns and needs with him as he served.

The phrase "to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord" suggests that this act was a way of keeping the people in God's thoughts and seeking his favor on their behalf. Overall, this verse emphasizes the importance of Aaron's role as a mediator between God and his people and highlights the need for him to remember and represent the people he serves.

April 14 -- "The Eternal Flame"

Today's Reading:  Exodus 27

"The Eternal Flame"

This verse is part of the section of Exodus that describes the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that the Israelites built to house the Ark of the Covenant and to worship God. In this particular verse, God is giving instructions to Moses regarding the maintenance of the lampstand inside the Tabernacle.

The lampstand, also called the menorah, was a seven-branched lamp that burned olive oil to provide light inside the Tabernacle. The oil used in the lamp had to be clear, meaning that it was pure and free from impurities, and it had to be pressed from olives rather than extracted using heat or chemicals.

The purpose of this command was to ensure that the lampstand would always be lit and that the light would be clear and bright. There are two main reasons for this; a practical one and a symbolic one. The practical reason for the lamp always burning was simply to provide lighting for the priests who serve inside the Tent. Without this light, it would have been very dark and difficult to carry out their duties.

The other reason is that this was symbolic of the presence of God, who is described in the Bible as the source of light and illumination. 1 John 1:5 says, "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all." In the Bible, God is also described as a "consuming fire" or a "refining fire," which suggests his power and holiness. He is the Eternal Flame.

The metaphor "God is Light" is a powerful image used in the Bible to convey several important aspects of God's nature and character including His purity, His truth, His life, and His presence. Light represents the presence of God, as it shines forth from Him and fills the earth with His glory.

In a message to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:5), Jesus says, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent." This verse suggests that if a church does not keep its lamp burning by proclaiming the truth and glory of God, the shining presence of God will be removed from them.

These passages emphasize the importance of being prepared and vigilant, and diligently keeping the light of God shining brightly.

April 13 -- "Follow God's Exact Plan"

 Today's Reading: Exodus 26

"Follow God's Exact Plan"

This verse is referring to the instructions that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. God gave Moses very specific details about how the Tabernacle was to be constructed, including the dimensions, the materials to be used, and the placement of each item inside the tent. There are several reasons why God was so specific in His instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle:

Symbolism: The Tabernacle was not just a physical structure, but also a symbolic representation of God's presence among the Israelites. Every detail of the Tabernacle's construction, from the materials used to the placement of each item, was meant to symbolize something about God's nature and character. For example, the gold used in the Tabernacle symbolized God's purity and holiness, while the veil separating the Holy of Holies symbolized the separation between God and humanity.

Holiness: God is holy, and He required that the Tabernacle be holy as well. By giving specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, God ensured that it would be set apart from everything else and would be a place where His people could come to worship Him in a way that was pleasing to Him.

Attention to detail: God's specific instructions for the Tabernacle demonstrated His attention to detail and His desire for excellence. He wanted His people to give their best effort in building the Tabernacle, and He wanted it to be a reflection of His own perfection.

Orderliness: The construction of the Tabernacle required a high level of organization and coordination among the Israelites. By giving precise instructions, God ensured that the construction would proceed in an orderly and efficient manner, and that everyone involved would know exactly what was expected of them.

In Hebrews 8:5, the author states that the priests who served in the Tabernacle "serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things" and that the Tabernacle was "a true tent that the Lord set up, not man." God's specificity in His instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle served to emphasize the importance of worshiping Him in a way that was both holy and pleasing to Him, and to demonstrate his own perfection and attention to detail.

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.