Burden Bearer

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 27-28 & Mark 11
Old Testament: Exodus 27- The Altar

IMG_1448Exodus 27:2
“You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze.”

One of the key furnishings for the Tabernacle was the Altar. It was a large wooden structure overlaid with bronze. It was located within the gate of the courtyard, and outside the entrance of the Tabernacle, itself. It was on … Read More

Exodus 28- Burden Bearers

IMG_1450Exodus 28:12
“And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders as a memorial.”

When I am deciding on what to wear, one of the key factors is comfort. I have owned clothing that fit and might even have looked nice, but I rarely ever wore, because it simply was not comfortable. I imagine if I had a coat with two large stone shoulder pads, it would not be… Read More

New Testament: Mark 11-Turntables

IMG_1449-0Mark 11:17
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’ But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.”

Journeying through the gospels, we have many glimpses into the emotions of Christ. We see His compassion upon the multitudes… Read More

He Is Calling You

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 25-26 & Mark 10
Old Testament: Exodus 25- Glamping

IMG_1443Exodus 25:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.

A few years ago I heard a word I had never heard before, or ever dreamed could be real. That… Read More

Exodus 26- The Veil

IMG_1440Exodus 26:33
“The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.”

Moses was invited by God to ascend Mount Sinai. Upon … Read More

New Testament: Mark 10- He Is Calling You

IMG_1441Mark 10:49
“Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

Imagine the thrill that must have filled Bartimaeus when he heard these words. Although his eye did not allow him to see, he had heard the stories of the man from Galilee, who was healing the sick and raising the dead. Now Jesus was right there within the sound of his voice, able to hear his, … Read More

Following The Crowd

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 23-24 & Mark 9
Old Testament: Exodus 23- Following The Crowd

IMG_1436Exodus 23:2
“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil…”

The Law of God was given as a standard to show the people their need for a Savior, and as a pattern to ensure that the people lived righteous lives. Here we find a principle that would protect Israel from becoming like the surrounding pagan nations. God is declaring that popular opinion is not what determines right from wrong. Almost every child has heard his parents say, “Would you jump off a cliff if your friends were doing it?” We attempt to… Read More

Exodus 24- Faithful In All Things

IMG_1438Exodus 24:5
“Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord.”
Read More

New Testament: Mark 9- Help My Unbelief

IMG_1437Mark 9:24
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

We are introduced to a man facing one of life’s greatest obstacles, the illness of his son. We have little glimpses into the great love he had for his child. We are told the father cried… Read More

Pray For Our Leaders

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 21-22 & Mark 8
Old Testament: Exodus 21- Bondservant

IMG_1429Exodus 21:5-6
“But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serveRead More

Exodus 22- Pray For Our Leaders

IMG_1431Exodus 22:28
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.”

The purpose of Israel’s time at Mount Sinai was to develop as a nation upon the foundation stone of the Word of God. Moses went up the mountain alone, … Read More

New Testament: Mark 8-  Giving Up To Gain

IMG_1430Mark 8:35
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense, but is true. The statement Jesus reveals is one of life’s greatest paradoxes. Man was created to know God. Jesus said that He came to “give us life and that more abundantly.” When our lives are lived in complete obedience to the Lord, we experience the height of living. When we hold back, unwilling to give ourselves, our time, or some sinful activity; we think we… Read More

Where Are You Going?

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 19-20 & Mark 7
Old Testament: Exodus 19- Where Are You Going?

IMG_1421Exodus 19:4
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”

I imagine if any of the people in this massive caravan were asked where they were headed, they all would have given the same answer, “We are going to the Promised Land.” They had grown up… Read More

Exodus 20- No Idols

IMG_1422Exodus 20:4
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;”

On the top of a mountain covered in smoke, Moses met with God, and… Read More

New Testament: Mark 7- Far Hearts

IMG_1423Mark 7:3
“For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.”

Man was created with a need to know God. In fact, we only experience the fullness of life when we are in right relationship… Read More

The Next Generation

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 17-18 & Mark 6
Old Testament: Exodus 17- Hitting Rock Bottom

IMG_1418Exodus 17:7
“So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’”

When the sojourning camp of Israel reached Rephidim, they were horrified to discover there was no water. There are many… Read More

Exodus 18- Next Generation

IMG_1419Exodus 18:17
“So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good.’”

As the leader of the congregation of Israel, Moses was sought out for advice for the issues of everyday life. Whenever people had a dispute with a neighbor, or a family crisis, they would set up an appointment with Moses, … Read More

New Testament: Mark 6- Limited Work

IMG_1420Mark 6:5
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.”

The phrase “He could do no mighty work there…” has always fascinated me. Think about it. The one who healed the sick, calmed the seas, rebuked the demons, raised the dead, created all… Read More

Curiosity

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 15-16 & Mark 5
Old Testament: Exodus 15- New Song

IMG_1415Exodus 15:1
“Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: . . .”

After experiencing the work of the Lord, Moses led Israel in a song of praise. This song is a beautiful example of worship. Moses begins by giving God praise for the thing … Read More

Exodus 16-Curiosity

IMG_1416Exodus 16:27
“Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none.”

Have you ever heard the proverb, “curiosity killed the cat?” It speaks to that part of our nature that wants to look into things that we shouldn’t. Not all curiosity is bad, in fact it can often lead to some pretty amazing opportunities. However, when … Read More

New Testament: Mark 5- They Could Not Tame Him

IMG_1417Mark 4:36
“When they had left the multitude”

Mark 4 ends with the story of a dangerous journey on which Jesus took His disciples. Knowing all things, He knew they would face a storm on the sea. He knew this storm would be so great that those who had grown up fishing those waters, and experiencing rough conditions, would fear for their very lives. But… Read More

Mysteries Of God

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Exodus 13-14 & Mark 4
Old Testament: Exodus 13- Set Free

IMG_1408Exodus 13:3
“And Moses said to the people: ‘Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.’”

The day of Israel’s… Read More

Exodus 14- Boxed In

IMG_1409Exodus 14:13
“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…’”

There can be little question… Read More

New Testament: Mark 4- Mysteries Of God

IMG_1410Mark 4:11
“To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God”

Paul wrote in1 Corinthians 2:14,

“But the natural man doesRead More