10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
I read in a few other places the importance of preparing to meet God. My friend Tom's blog comments on how we have lost that in society today, we head off to church for our couple hours on Sunday then back to our busy lives. Its kind of true, what do I do to prepare and clear my mind to meet with God--nothing. I get up on Sunday read some ESPN football news a little Facebook then off I go.
In this chapter he gave them instructions to spend time consecrating or dedicating the people to him. Washing their clothes abstaining and abstaining from sex.
So while I believe I can go to God anytime in prayer it also makes some sense that if I really want to connect with him I need to really clear my mind of other noise and take time to truly be focused on him. Prepare to listen to him, prepare to get instruction from him. He makes it clear in this chapter preparation is an important part of a relationship with him.
knut
Monday, November 11, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Exodus 18
21 But select capable men...who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands...22 Have them serve as judges..., but have them bring every difficult case to you...That will make your load lighter...23 If you do this..., you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
God wrote the HR handbook way before we every did Attract/Engage/Retain at John Deere. I take to heart the idea of selecting capable people who are trustworthy then turning them loose to do their work and simply being there to help them through the difficult times. And I also take note that if you do these things not only is it good for you but all these people will be satisfied--including yourself if you are the one delegating.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me that what he writes here has application everywhere in my life, not just with my faith--because its all one and he created the structure for us. It also illustrates why people including our kids need and want structure to be satisfied---it is how he made us. sometimes in this world people don't want rules or structure or at least they think they don't, but it doesn;t lead to satisfaction
done rambling
knut
God wrote the HR handbook way before we every did Attract/Engage/Retain at John Deere. I take to heart the idea of selecting capable people who are trustworthy then turning them loose to do their work and simply being there to help them through the difficult times. And I also take note that if you do these things not only is it good for you but all these people will be satisfied--including yourself if you are the one delegating.
I guess it shouldn't surprise me that what he writes here has application everywhere in my life, not just with my faith--because its all one and he created the structure for us. It also illustrates why people including our kids need and want structure to be satisfied---it is how he made us. sometimes in this world people don't want rules or structure or at least they think they don't, but it doesn;t lead to satisfaction
done rambling
knut
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Exodus 17
12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
So even the Moses's get's tired and needs some help once in a while. We aren't fighting a physical battle like Moses was helping with but each day we have our own struggles with life. We've been doing our chapter a day for over 2 years now, it is a way of life for me now. But its having you as my partner to put the stone under me and hold up my hand now and then that really helps me keep this as a way of life. thanks for being my partner on this journey.
knut
So even the Moses's get's tired and needs some help once in a while. We aren't fighting a physical battle like Moses was helping with but each day we have our own struggles with life. We've been doing our chapter a day for over 2 years now, it is a way of life for me now. But its having you as my partner to put the stone under me and hold up my hand now and then that really helps me keep this as a way of life. thanks for being my partner on this journey.
knut
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Exodus 16
28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you[c] refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?
He sure asks this question in a calm tone. My always say why are you yelling at me??!?! Which I'm not, but I make it clear to them I can yell if they want me too. God just brought them through the Red Sea and now made it snow bread as predicted yet they either were not listening at all or still had zero faith and decided to get a little extra to cover their future needs. He should be screaming at them--or maybe Moses would tell us he was screaming!!!
But I'm just like these jokers, why is it so difficult to just do what He has instructed us to do in the Bible. I don't want to hurt him or be disobedient yet often my actions do just that.
So today I am praying to keep his instructions for me front of mind and not worry about my needs of tomorrow just trust he will provide for me as he always has.
knut
He sure asks this question in a calm tone. My always say why are you yelling at me??!?! Which I'm not, but I make it clear to them I can yell if they want me too. God just brought them through the Red Sea and now made it snow bread as predicted yet they either were not listening at all or still had zero faith and decided to get a little extra to cover their future needs. He should be screaming at them--or maybe Moses would tell us he was screaming!!!
But I'm just like these jokers, why is it so difficult to just do what He has instructed us to do in the Bible. I don't want to hurt him or be disobedient yet often my actions do just that.
So today I am praying to keep his instructions for me front of mind and not worry about my needs of tomorrow just trust he will provide for me as he always has.
knut
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Exodus 15
27 They came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They set up camp there by the water.
so they just crossed the Red Sea through desert were disappointed by bitter water then saw a miracle of water turned sweet, instructed to listen and follow God's words, then lead to what must have seemed like paradise.
Not sure where I'm going with this but just noticing the path they took and the refreshing destination God brought them too when they needed it. There are no guarantees life will be easy, but I should seek to listen and be obedient and He will make sure I have water and shade when needed.
knut
so they just crossed the Red Sea through desert were disappointed by bitter water then saw a miracle of water turned sweet, instructed to listen and follow God's words, then lead to what must have seemed like paradise.
Not sure where I'm going with this but just noticing the path they took and the refreshing destination God brought them too when they needed it. There are no guarantees life will be easy, but I should seek to listen and be obedient and He will make sure I have water and shade when needed.
knut
Monday, November 4, 2013
Exodus 14
14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
So I realize I'm taking this one statement from Moses out of its context. But I was thinking about how the Israelites were getting all worked up crazy scared that Moses was leading them into a death trap rather than out of Eygpt and control of the Paraoh. They start talking amongst themselves and then complaining to Moses--see I told you why didnt you just leave us alone. They had no faith no trust. They probably thought they needed to do something themselves to get out of this predicament.
But Moses says let the Lord fight for you--be still. Now I don't have any life or death situations going on but at the same time in my core I'm a worrier. Maybe I should be still as well, speaking with God and trusting him to take care of me. If he can part the Red Sea he can probably deal with my little troubles at the office which is where my primary stress lies.
just a thought.
knut
So I realize I'm taking this one statement from Moses out of its context. But I was thinking about how the Israelites were getting all worked up crazy scared that Moses was leading them into a death trap rather than out of Eygpt and control of the Paraoh. They start talking amongst themselves and then complaining to Moses--see I told you why didnt you just leave us alone. They had no faith no trust. They probably thought they needed to do something themselves to get out of this predicament.
But Moses says let the Lord fight for you--be still. Now I don't have any life or death situations going on but at the same time in my core I'm a worrier. Maybe I should be still as well, speaking with God and trusting him to take care of me. If he can part the Red Sea he can probably deal with my little troubles at the office which is where my primary stress lies.
just a thought.
knut
Friday, November 1, 2013
Exodus 13
I can't imagine what the Israelite people must have been feeling here. On one hand you have them packing up and leaving a place that they probably considered home. That's all they knew. Every little bit of comfort that they had was there, even though it wasn't much. On the other hand they had a visible reminder in front of them that God was with them. The cloud and fire that God sent was amazing. Imagine if we had that today? Even though they had this guide, God was still worried that if something rose up against them, they would turn back. What a strange time to be a follower of God. It seems like God knew how tenuous the situation was, and he is willing to take extra measures to keep his people safe, and moving in the right direction.
Application - The obvious thing to write here, is if I have faith in God, he won't abandon me. He will always do exactly what I need in every situation. Even if the immediate effect of it isn't positive. In the long run, keeping faith will be, by far, the best route to take. I can hear myself grumbling, as one of the people being led out of Egypt........"I'm not sure this is the right thing to do here......"
little light today.
peace
have a great weekend.
t
Application - The obvious thing to write here, is if I have faith in God, he won't abandon me. He will always do exactly what I need in every situation. Even if the immediate effect of it isn't positive. In the long run, keeping faith will be, by far, the best route to take. I can hear myself grumbling, as one of the people being led out of Egypt........"I'm not sure this is the right thing to do here......"
little light today.
peace
have a great weekend.
t
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)