SCRIPTURE: Acts 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. [Acts 1:5]
The book of Exodus finishes with the tabernacle being ‘baptized’ (filled, covered, anointed) by the glory cloud that represented God [Exodus 40:34-38].
God’s presence and power among them led and empowered them through the wilderness and into the promised land. Continue reading spiritual heart transplant needed

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 40
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [John 14:16-17]
The cloud that filled the temple and led the people through the wilderness symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
The Tent of Meeting and its furnishings symbolizes the restored personal relationship we can have with God through Jesus, by the Spirit.
• Tent of Meeting: we meet face to face with God, through Jesus
• ark of the Testimony: God’s communication of truth, of Himself
• altar of incense: our communication of faith, prayer
• altar of burnt offering: the sacrifice for atonement, Jesus’ death
• water for cleansing: baptism, for forgiveness and renewal
• anointing oil: the Holy Spirit renewing, sanctifying us
We may meet with God, hear God and talk with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf, baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. Continue reading the Spirit of glory

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 39
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. [Matthew 6:28-29]
What a lot of attention is given in Exodus 38-39 to the temple furnishings and the priestly garments.
It makes you wonder why God makes a big deal of clothes here, and yet Jesus seems to have a different spin. Continue reading dressed like Jesus

So here are two videos, one by a Christian who hates “religion”, and the second by a Muslim who challenges the Christian view of Jesus.
Each one makes you think, each one provokes a response.
I would love your comments!

This first one is by a Christian…

This next one is by a Muslim…

I got this as an email forward, kind of cute, whether it’s real or not…

This was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to ‘explain God.’ 

EXPLANATION OF GOD

‘One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn’t have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.’ Continue reading a little boy’s explanation of God

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 38
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [Mathew 6:19-20]
Moses provides us with a very detailed list of the valuables used to build the tabernacle.
But where is it now?
What is left of these ‘treasures’? Continue reading moth and rust and thieves

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 37
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27-28].
As I read this list of furnishings being made for the tabernacle, I think about a high school friend whose mother kept the living room immaculate.
She even had plastic on the chairs.
I once sat on it, when his mom wasn’t at home, but that was exceptional – normally it was reserved for only special company, if ever. Continue reading enjoying God’s furniture

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 36
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well [Matthew 6:33].
If we put God first, He will provide everything we need to fulfill His purpose.
The “all these things” that Jesus refers to are the daily things we think we need to survive (food, clothing, work, health).
The promise is this: God will provide us everything we need to do everything He asks of us. Continue reading more than enough

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. [Isaiah 11:6]
An inspiring moment, yet has anything changed in 20 years?

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 35
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’ [Luke 21:5-6]
The substance of the giver is more important than substance of the gift.
It is not weightiness of the gift, but the willingness of the giver that God values. Continue reading the heart of the giver