Monthly Archives: January 2015

We always have a choice (Acts 7:20-43), Jan 31, 2015

Today’s Podcast

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 7. And God says:

Stephen began to lay out the story of My people well before the Jewish leaders the day of his trial. He pointed out several key issues with every story he relayed to the leaders as he recited their history. In every story I brought to his mind, the key feature was the choice made. In this one, the Israelites made a poor one.

Despite their witness of the plagues on the unbelieving Egyptians, they failed to follow the instructions I gave Moses. Despite the miracle of the Passover and the sacrifice in every Egyptian household while they escaped the death angel’s march, they chose other gods. Despite their crossing of the Red Sea on dry land and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army in their sight, they did not believe Me. Despite the miracles they saw at My hand freeing them from the oppressive slavery in Egypt, they failed to follow Me.

Stephen comes to the climax of his testimony soon. The Israelites chose trinkets they could see instead of the Eternal God of Creation they could not see. They failed to trust Me even though they saw all the miracles I performed for them across those several months to free them and make them into the nation I promised Abraham.

Moses believed and I used him to lead My people. He never lost sight of the promise I had given his ancestors and the promise I made him that day at the bush that burned but was not consumed. Stephen believed and I used him to witness to all who heard his testimony then and in the centuries to come who would hear and read his words. I gave him a special blessing by opening the windows of heaven and letting him view My Son at My side on My throne before he died.

Paul believed and I let him glimpse heavenly wonders few have experienced this side of eternity so he would not waiver in his testimony to the world despite the arrests, beatings, stoning, and other intense persecutions he would face as My messenger. He wrote much of the scriptures and put in place the teachings that would spread around the globe of the love I want others to know because of the relationship I have always wanted with you.

But all of these had a choice, as do you. Each person has a choice as to whether or not you will follow Me. You can choose to believe in Me or to follow your own way. I will warn you of this, though. I made it plain when I walked with man on the earth in human flesh and said, “I am the way, no man comes to the Father except by Me.” You choose. Your way or My way?

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 7:20-43
Set – Exodus 29; Acts 7
Go! – Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Acts 7:20-43
²⁰ Into this horrible situation our ancestor Moses was born, and he was a beautiful child in God’s eyes. He was raised for three months in his father’s home, ²¹ and then he was abandoned as the brutal regime required. However, Pharaoh’s daughter found, adopted, and raised him as her own son. ²² So Moses learned the culture and wisdom of the Egyptians and became a powerful man—both as an intellectual and as a leader. ²³ When he reached the age of 40, his heart drew him to visit his kinfolk, our ancestors, the Israelites. ²⁴ During his visit, he saw one of our people being wronged, and he took sides with our people by killing an Egyptian. ²⁵ He thought his kinfolk would recognize him as their God-given liberator, but they didn’t realize who he was and what he represented.

²⁶ The next day Moses was walking among the Israelites again when he observed a fight—but this time, it was between two Israelites. He intervened and tried to reconcile the men. “You two are brothers,” he said. “Why do you attack each other?” ²⁷ But the aggressor pushed Moses away and responded with contempt: “Who made you our prince and judge? ²⁸ Are you going to slay me and hide my body as you did with the Egyptian yesterday?” ²⁹ Realizing this murder had not gone unnoticed, he quickly escaped Egypt and lived as a refugee in the land of Midian. He married there and had two sons.

³⁰ Forty more years passed. One day while Moses was in the desert near Mount Sinai, a heavenly messenger appeared to him in the flames of a burning bush. ³¹ The phenomenon intrigued Moses; and as he approached for a closer look, he heard a voice—the voice of the Lord: ³² “I am the God of your own fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” This terrified Moses—he began to tremble and looked away in fear. ³³ The voice continued: “Take off your sandals and stand barefoot on the ground in My presence, for this ground is holy ground. ³⁴ I have avidly watched how My people are being mistreated by the Egyptians. I have heard their groaning at the treatment of their oppressors. I am descending personally to rescue them. So get up. I’m sending you to Egypt.”

³⁵ Now remember: this was the same Moses who had been rejected by his kinfolk when they said, “Who made you our prince and judge?” This man, rejected by his own people, was the one God had truly sent and commissioned by the heavenly messenger who appeared in the bush, to be their leader and deliverer.

³⁶ Moses indeed led our ancestors to freedom, and he performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness over a period of 40 years. ³⁷ This Moses promised our ancestors, “The Eternal One your God will raise up from among your people a Prophet who will be like me.” ³⁸ This is the same one who led the people to Mount Sinai, where a heavenly messenger spoke to him and our ancestors, and who received the living message of God to give to us.

³⁹ But our ancestors still resisted. They again pushed Moses away and refused to follow him. In their hearts, they were ready to return to their former slavery in Egypt. ⁴⁰ While Moses was on the mountain communing with God, they begged Aaron to make idols to lead them. “We have no idea what happened to this fellow, Moses, who brought us from Egypt,” they said. ⁴¹ So they made a calf as their new god, and they even sacrificed to it and celebrated an object they had fabricated as if it was their God.

⁴² And you remember what God did next: He let them go. He turned from them and let them follow their idolatrous path—worshiping sun, moon, and stars just as their unenlightened neighbors did. The prophet Amos spoke for God about this horrible betrayal:

Did you offer Me sacrifices or give Me offerings
during your 40-year wilderness journey, you Israelites?
⁴³ No, but you have taken along your sacred tent for the worship of Moloch,
and you honored the star of Rompha, your false god.
So, if you want to worship your man-made images,
you may do so—beyond Babylon.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Expect persecution (Acts 6), Jan 30, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 6. And God says:
In the western world you don’t see much persecution. People like to complain they do, the Ten Commandments are removed from public places. The government prohibits prayer to Me in public ceremonies. Christian holiday names are changed to avoid offending others. But I don’t think of that as persecution, really. All those things are nuisances you can put up with if your faith is strong.

Real persecution still goes on, though. More now than ever in the history of My church. Brave men and women hold onto their faith in the face of torture, financial ruin, loss of everything including their family, even death. And in those countries where persecution seems greatest, My church grows faster than ever.

There is something about those who stand for Me in the face of persecution that others see. Like with Stephen, I give them a joy they cannot explain to others in the middle of that persecution. Yes they suffer the temporary pain that the circumstances bring, but they also feel My presence. They know I am with them in the midst of all their suffering and I will not leave them. They know I live and I live in them.

Expect the world to hate you. There has and will be a battle between good and evil until the end of time. But the end of time may not be as far away as you think. Persecution will increase for those who follow Me. I foretold it and it will happen. But remember, I will never leave you alone. I will stay with you. The momentary suffering will seem as nothing compared to the eternal joy I have in store for you.

So, until I return, take lessons from Stephen, Paul, Peter, and the other apostles, the early Christians and today’s Christians in many lands face persecution. None enjoy it, but they face it knowing that they share in the same suffering My Son faced. They know the world hated him for no reason and they will hate you for no reason…other than you carry the name of Christ. Your perseverance will build My kingdom. It will help others recognize My kingdom is not of this world. It will show others I am worth the worship you give Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 6
Set – Exodus 27; Acts 6
Go! – Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Acts 6
¹Things were going well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. ² The twelve convened the entire community of disciples.

The Twelve: We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. ³ So, friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. Whomever you select we will commission to resolve this matter ⁴ so we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message.

⁵ The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan, so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). ⁶ These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. ⁷ The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen continually overflowed with extraordinary grace and power, and he was able to perform a number of miraculous signs and wonders in public view. ⁹ But eventually a group arose to oppose Stephen and the message to which his signs and wonders pointed. (These men were from a group called the Free Synagogue and included Cyrenians, Alexandrians, Cilicians, and Asians.) ¹⁰ The Holy Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom in responding to their arguments that they were humiliated; ¹¹ in retaliation, they spread a vicious rumor: “We heard Stephen speak blasphemies against Moses and God.”

¹² Their rumor prompted an uprising that included common people, religious officials, and scholars. They surprised Stephen, grabbed him, and hauled him before the council. ¹³ They convinced some witnesses to give false testimony.

False Witnesses: This fellow constantly degrades the holy temple and mocks our holy law. ¹⁴ With our own ears, we’ve heard him say this Jesus fellow, this Nazarene he’s always talking about, will actually destroy the holy temple and will try to change the sacred customs we received from Moses.

¹⁵ The entire council turned its gaze on Stephen to see how he would respond. They were shocked to see his face radiant with peace—as if he were a heavenly messenger.

Don’t chase shiny things, chase God (Exodus 23/20-33), Jan 29, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 23. And God says:
From the very first, My plan was to give the lands I promised Abraham to his descendants through Jacob’s line. I also knew the new nation must grow large enough to inhabit the land and care for it and it would take time to conquer it completely. I knew this delay would test the faith of the new nation, collectively and individually. I gave them directions to help them in the early days of their new faith. Get rid of every idol. Destroy them. Pulverize every pillar. Obliterate every sign of every other deity.

I knew humankind’s tendency to marvel at things they could put their hands on and touch. The shiny gold and silver idols would attract their attention. They would ask the inhabitants what they meant and some would fall prey to the incitement these pieces of metal brought. The stories of their gods would intrigue the faithless and they would fall away. Then they would teach their children about these false gods and whole generations would turn away from me.

My commands to annihilate the inhabitants of the promised land didn’t come because I hated them. It came about because I knew they would entice My people to fall away from Me. Just like Adam and Eve, centuries before, they would listen to the lies they could see instead of the truth of the Eternal. I made the gold. A person made the idol. How could they think that lump of metal do what only I can do? But man can create incredible fables from his imagination at times.

It still happens today. It even happens with lumps of gold and silver. More often, men bow to jobs, numbers in bank accounts, titles and position, power. They forget all of the things they want I created in the first place and can take away in a moment. It takes focus and constant vigilance to avoid the traps the world puts in place to entice you away from Me. The shiny baubles the world offers is nothing, though, compared to the riches I have in store for you. Just hang on. Trust Me. Know that I will see you through.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 23:20-33
Set – Exodus 23; Psalms 14
Go! – Exodus 23-24; Psalms 14; Acts 5

Exodus 23:20-33
²⁰ Look! I am going to send a heavenly messenger before you to protect you during your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. ²¹ Pay attention to all he shows you and obey whatever he tells you. Do not cause him any trouble. He will not forgive you if you rebel against him for he carries My name in him.

²² If you are obedient to his voice and follow all of My instructions, then I will be an enemy to all of those who are against you, and I will oppose all those who oppose you. ²³ When My messenger moves ahead of you and leads you to the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites—I will annihilate them. ²⁴ Do not bow down to their gods, worship, or serve them in any way. Do not engage in any of their wicked practices. Instead, you must destroy every idol you find and shatter their sacred pillars into tiny pieces.

²⁵ Worship and serve only the Eternal your God, and I will bless you with an ample supply of wholesome food and clean water. I will take away all sickness from you, ²⁶ prevent miscarriages and barrenness, and give you long, productive lives. ²⁷ My fear and My dread will move ahead of you, and wherever you go people will greet you with panic and confusion. I will see to it that all of your enemies turn and run from you. ²⁸ I will unleash hornets ahead of you; and they will drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites from the land before you. ²⁹ Now I will not do all this in a single year, because the land would become a wasteland, overpopulated with wild animals that would roam unchecked. ³⁰ Rather, I will drive them out a little at a time—a few here, a few there—until your numbers grow and you are strong enough to take over the land and its care. ³¹ I will set your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea west of where the Philistines live and from the desert to the Euphrates River. I will give to you all those who inhabit the land, and you will drive them all out. ³² But do not make a covenant-treaty with them or agree to serve their gods. ³³ They must not be allowed to live in your land; otherwise they will cause you to sin against Me, the only True God. If you serve their gods, you will be trapped and be drawn into sin.

A new day dawned (Acts 4:1-22), Jan 28, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 4. And from it God says:
I love the Jewish Leaders’ question to Peter and John after making them cool their heels in jail overnight. They must have stayed awake all night crafting that question. It was remarkable, don’t you think?

“Who gave you the authority to create that spectacle in the temple yesterday?” What a question!

Of course, the spectacle involved a man over forty years old, lame from birth who stood at the name of Jesus, My Son. The power resident, even in his name, transferred through the faith of Peter, John, and the lame man caused him to walk out of the temple and into worship. The crowds saw the same man they had seen for forty years walking around, leaping before the Lord, praising Me for the miracle performed on his behalf.

What would you expect but the for the crowds to start praising with him? The temple atmosphere that day turned from one of somber, long faced prayers asking where I was to one of celebration thanking Me for My presence. It wasn’t just a spectacle. It was spectacular. And who authorized it? Me, that’s who! I want My people to celebrate when I’m there. I want people to sound the trumpets, clash the cymbals, let out all the stops. Why, because the God of all creation chose to visit you.

Their decision ended up being a little ridiculous, too. “Don’t talk anymore about what I’m doing through them.” How can they do that? How can anyone hold back the joy and excitement that happens when I intervene in life. Peter answered correctly and it shook their well-schooled, intellectual prowess to the ground. “Is it better that I obey you or God?”

What could they say? They were supposed to lead according to what I tell them, so how could they deny others doing what I tell them to do? What a great day to show a new day dawned for those who believe in Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 4:1-22
Set – Psalms 12; Acts 4
Go! – Exodus 21-22; Psalms 12; Acts 4

Acts 4:1-22
¹The conversation continued for a few hours there in Solomon’s porch. Suddenly, the head of the temple police and some members of the Sadducean party interrupted Peter and John. ² They were annoyed because Peter and John were enthusiastically teaching that in Jesus, resurrection of the dead is possible—an idea the Sadducees completely rejected. ³ So they arrested Peter, John, and the man who was healed and kept them in jail overnight. ⁴ But during these few afternoon hours between the man’s miraculous healing and their arrest, Peter and John already had convinced about 5,000 more people to believe their message about Jesus!

⁵ The next morning, the Jewish leaders—their officials, elders, and scholars—called a meeting in Jerusalem ⁶ presided over by Annas (the patriarch of the ruling priestly clan), along with Caiaphas (his son-in-law), John, Alexander, and other members of their clan. ⁷ They made their prisoners stand in the middle of the assembly and questioned them.

Jewish Leaders: Who gave you the authority to create that spectacle in the temple yesterday?

Peter (filled with the Spirit): ⁸ Rulers and elders of the people, ⁹ yesterday a good deed was done. Someone who was sick was healed. If you’re asking us how this happened, ¹⁰ I want all of you and all of the people of Israel to know this man standing in front of you—obviously in good health—was healed by the authority of Jesus of Nazareth, the Anointed One. This is the same Jesus whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead. ¹¹ He is “the stone that you builders rejected who has become the very stone that holds together the entire foundation” on which a new temple is being built. ¹² There is no one else who can rescue us, and there is no other name under heaven given to any human by whom we may be rescued.

¹³ Now the leaders were surprised and confused. They looked at Peter and John and realized they were typical peasants—uneducated, utterly ordinary fellows—with extraordinary confidence. The leaders recognized them as companions of Jesus, ¹⁴ then they turned their attention to the third man standing beside them—recently lame, now standing tall and healthy. What could they say in response to all this?

¹⁵ Because they were at a loss about what to do, they excused the prisoners so the council could deliberate in private.

Jewish Leaders: ¹⁶ What do we do with these fellows? Anyone who lives in Jerusalem will know an unexplainable sign has been performed through these two preachers. We can’t deny their story. ¹⁷ The best we can do is try to keep it from spreading. So let’s warn them to stop speaking to anybody in this name.

¹⁸ The leaders brought the prisoners back in and prohibited them from doing any more speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ Peter and John listened quietly and then replied,

Peter and John: You are the judges here, so we’ll leave it up to you to judge whether it is right in the sight of God to obey your commands or God’s. ²⁰ But one thing we can tell you: we cannot possibly restrain ourselves from speaking about what we have seen and heard with our own eyes and ears.

^21-22 The council threatened them again, but finally let them go because public opinion strongly supported Peter and John and this man who had received this miraculous sign. He was over 40 years old, so his situation was known to many people, and they couldn’t help but glorify God for his healing.

Do your part, but don’t do it all (Exodus 18/13-27),Jan 27, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 18.
Moses learned an important lesson from Jethro most of My leaders today still do not understand. Moses tried to do everything himself as leader of the fledgling nation of Israel. Jethro saw he would soon wear himself out with the tasks he took. Much of the work others could do if he would let them. Some of the tasks I reserved for him alone.

Like many, Moses forgot I gave others special gifts to help him. He would need those others and their skills soon to help build the tabernacle, the furniture, and utensils that I would instruct him to build. He could not do it alone. I would give Moses the instructions, but others would carry out the work. Men I gifted specifically for the tasks. Men endued with artistic skills Moses did not have.

Too many of My leaders today think they must take on the task of doing all the work in their churches. Sometimes, those led by the pastors are too comfortable letting them do the work. But I did not give them the gifts to do everything necessary to build My church. I gave them some gifts, those necessary to carry out their responsibilities, but I expect everyone who is part of the body of Christ to do their share in keeping that body whole and healthy.

When everyone does their part, the work gets done. The loads stay light enough for each to accomplish what must get accomplished each day. And each is blessed with the joy of knowing they have done their part in building the kingdom. So many feel like asking others to help is an imposition when really, it provides a blessing when it is a task I’ve given them gifts to perform in My church. Never take away someones blessing by refusing to let them use the gifts I’ve given them. I don’t fail to find those blessing by refusing to use your own gifts. I’ve given them to you for a reason.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 18:13-27
Set -Exodus 18; Acts 3
Go! – Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

Exodus 18:13-27
¹³ On the next day, Moses sat and served as judge, settling disputes among the people. Those with grievances surrounded him from sunrise to sundown waiting to present their case. ¹⁴ Jethro noticed all Moses was doing for the people.

Jethro: What do you think you are doing? Why are you the only one who is able to judge the disputes of all these people who surround you from sunrise to sundown?

Moses: ¹⁵ These people come to me seeking direction from God. ¹⁶ When two people are arguing and can’t resolve their differences, they come to me; and I settle the matter between them. This is one way I help God’s people understand His requirements and instructions.

Jethro: ¹⁷ What you are doing is not good for you. ¹⁸ The responsibility is just too much. You are going to wear yourself out. Not only that, you’re going to wear out the people too. You can’t do it all by yourself. ¹⁹ I am going to give you a piece of advice, so listen up and God will be with you. You should represent the people before God, and carry their concerns to Him. ²⁰ Teach them God’s requirements and pass on His laws. Show them the right way to live and the kind of work they should be doing. ²¹ As for all these other duties you have taken on, choose competent leaders who fear God, love truth, despise dishonesty, and won’t take bribes. After you divide and subdivide all the people into various groups of a thousand, hundred, fifty, and ten, put the men of integrity you selected in charge over the various groups. ²² Let these righteous leaders be ready to judge the people whenever it is necessary. If there is some major problem, they can bring that to you. Otherwise, these select leaders ought to be able to handle the minor problems. This will be much easier for you, and they will help you carry this burden. ²³ If you do what I advise and God directs you, then you will be able to handle the pressure. Not only that, but all these people standing around needing help, they will be able to return to their tents at peace.

²⁴ Moses accepted Jethro’s advice and did all that he said. ²⁵ He chose competent leaders and put them in charge of the community of Israel. He divided and subdivided the nation into groups of a thousand, hundred, fifty, and ten, and he appointed a leader over each group. ²⁶ The righteous leaders judged the people whenever disputes or problems arose. Any major quarrel, they brought to Moses for his judgment; but every minor argument, they judged themselves.

²⁷ When it was time for Jethro to return to his own land, Moses sent his father-in-law on his way.

Pentecost, more than a feast day (Acts 2/1-21;43-47), Jan 26, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Acts 2
Pentecost had come and gone countless times for the Hebrews through the centuries. People came from everywhere to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. The day commemorates the giving of My Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. But after My Son returned to heaven, My Spirit came as He promised. What better day than Pentecost for Him to settle upon the hearts of men and women ready to receive Him fully?

Some special things happened that day that many concentrate on when talking about Pentecost, the sound of rushing wind, the flames of fire on each person in the room, the languages spoken and heard by each person in the crowd. Certainly, those things should not be forgotten. They were important in letting both those present and future generations know something different, wonderful, and miraculous happened when My Spirit came to inhabit hearts. But the audible and visible signs of the day were not what made Pentecost special to Me.

What made Pentecost special were the changed lives seen by everyone around them. Luke recorded some of those changes in later verses of the second chapter of Acts, often overlooked because of the spectacular events in the opening verses. But I want you to think about the real change and what I find most important.

Luke describes an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed. Did you get that? No fighting each other, no gossip among that group, no back-biting or slander. They had an intense sense of togetherness. That’s My Church! They were generous with their material goods helping not only their fellow believers, but others in the city in need. They were unified in worship in the temple – day after day! They enjoyed each other’s company and shared meals together, opened their homes to each other, shared each others burdens, joys, and sorrows. Luke describes My newly filled people with glad and generous hearts enjoying the goodwill of all the people of the city.

Why did they enjoy the goodwill of the others? Because they were genuine in their generosity, genuine in their compassion, genuine in their love. How can they exhibit those characteristics in an occupied city whose leaders a few weeks early killed their Savior? Because My Son lives…forever! And My Spirit, His Spirt, We, now lived in them. We can live in you, too. If you let Us. You can experience the same genuine joy they did on that Pentecost day Luke describes in his letter to Theophilus describing the acts of the apostles. As promised to Joel, My Spirit is poured out for the asking. But like any gift, He must be accepted into your life. Do it today.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Acts 2:1-21; 43-47
Set – Exodus 15; Acts 2
Go! – Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

Acts 2:1-21; 43-47
¹When the holy day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, they were gathered together in one place.

² Picture yourself among the disciples:

A sound roars from the sky without warning, the roar of a violent wind, and the whole house where you are gathered reverberates with the sound. ³ Then a flame appears, dividing into smaller flames and spreading from one person to the next. ⁴ All the people present are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in languages they’ve never spoken, as the Spirit empowers them.

⁵ Because of the holy festival, there are devout Jews staying as pilgrims in Jerusalem from every nation under the sun. ⁶ They hear the sound, and a crowd gathers. They are amazed because each of them can hear the group speaking in their native languages. ⁷ They are shocked and amazed by this.

Pilgrims: Just a minute. Aren’t all of these people Galileans? ⁸ How in the world do we all hear our native languages being spoken? ⁹ Look—there are Parthians here, and Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamians, and Judeans, residents of Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygians and Pamphylians, Egyptians and Libyans from Cyrene, Romans including both Jews by birth and converts, ¹¹ Cretans, and Arabs. We’re each, in our own languages, hearing these people talk about God’s powerful deeds.

¹² Their amazement becomes confusion as they wonder,

Pilgrims: What does this mean?

Skeptics: ¹³ It doesn’t mean anything. They’re all drunk on some fresh wine!

¹⁴ As the twelve stood together, Peter shouted to the crowd,

Peter: Men of Judea and all who are staying here in Jerusalem, listen. I want you to understand: ¹⁵ these people aren’t drunk as you may think. Look, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this isn’t drunkenness; this is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. ¹⁷ Hear what God says!

In the last days,
I will offer My Spirit to humanity as a libation.
Your children will boldly speak the word of the Lord.
Young warriors will see visions,
and your elders will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Yes, in those days I shall offer My Spirit to all servants,
both male and female, and they will boldly speak My word.
¹⁹ And in the heaven above and on the earth below,
I shall give signs of impending judgment: blood, fire, and clouds of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will become a void of darkness,
and the moon will become blood.
Then the great and dreadful day of the Lord will arrive,
²¹ And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be liberated into God’s freedom and peace.

⁴³ Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them. ⁴⁴ There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. ⁴⁵ They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need. ⁴⁶ They were unified as they worshiped at the temple day after day. In homes, they broke bread and shared meals with glad and generous hearts. ⁴⁷ The new disciples praised God, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people of the city. Day after day the Lord added to their number everyone who was experiencing liberation.

Passover is more than a once a year festival (Exodus 12/1-30), Jan 25, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 12.
Passover is one of the most important of the festivals for remembrance I directed for My people. It changes the calendar for the Israelites and becomes the first month of the year because of its significance. Passover brought freedom to My people. It broke their chains of slavery to their Egyptian masters. It marks the beginning of the life of the new nation just as it marked the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household.

What do I want you to remember from Passover? You already surmise a lot of symbolism can be found throughout the entire Passover festival from the time of year I chose for you to celebrate it, to the foods you eat, to the clothes you wear. But I want you especially to think about three things today.

Second, Passover is about urgency and preparedness. I demanded My people eat with their shoes on, their cloaks on, and a walking stick in their hand. I wanted their bags packed and nothing left to do before they walked out the door because they would leave in a hurry. The Passover had an urgency about it because as soon as the death angel visited at a time of My choosing during the night, the Egyptians would cry out and Pharaoh would tell My people to leave. I wanted them to go immediately.

It will be the same when My Son returns. Waiting for Him should create an urgency and a measure of preparedness in you. Just like with My people at the first Passover, those that were not ready could not go. They were lost to the exodus. My command for My people was to go when commanded. Don’t wait, don’t dawdle, don’t prepare anything else. Grab your pack, get on your feet, and get out of Egypt! When My Son returns, He will come in the blink of an eye to take His church. Those who are ready will come home with Him. Those who are not will remain. There is urgency in the remembrance of the Passover.

The Passover is about family and community. The Passover meal was never eaten alone. There was a reason a whole lamb or goat was required. One of the most important, a large number of people must gather together to consume it. Families must mend the differences between them and eat together. Neighbors must tear down any barriers between them and eat together. Newcomers on settlement were invited into homes to become part of the community. Meat in Goshen was too scarce to waste when many dined on onions and leeks. A lamb or goat as the Passover meal meant something extravagant and not for Me, but also something not to be wasted, so houses were filled with family and friends ready and waiting to begin the journey to a new life.

Finally, Passover is about sacrifice. It’s easy to think about the lamb and the goat that lost its life for the passover meal, but each Egyptian family also lost their firstborn in sacrifice for their failure to believe in Me, the One True God. Freedom takes sacrifice. Whether from the chains of slavery or the chains of sin, sacrifice remains a necessary component. For you, I already paid the ultimate price in the blood of My perfect Son, Jesus. The blood on the doorpost represent for you the blood of My Son, as well, to remember your salvation isn’t free. It comes at a price.

Jesus, My Son, instituted a remembrance at the last Passover meal He celebrated that many call the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, or other names. Like the first Passover, it brings with it a remembrance of His sacrifice for your sins, urgency and preparedness for His return, and togetherness as My family, My children, born of blood and spirit. Born into My kingdom…if you believe in Him. Passover didn’t just happen as an historical event, it remains as a permanent reminder of My grace in the lives of those who dare to believe in Me.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 12:1-30
Set – Exodus 12; Psalms 21
Go! – Exodus 12-13; Psalms 21; Acts 1

Exodus 12:1-30
Eternal One (to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt): ^1-2 Mark this month as the first month of all months for you—the first month of your year. ³ Declare this message to the entire community of Israel: “When the tenth day of this month arrives, every family is to select a lamb, one for each household. ⁴ If there aren’t enough people in the family to eat an entire lamb, then they should share a lamb with their nearest neighbor according to how many people are in the neighbor’s family. Divide the portions of the lamb so that each person has enough to eat. ⁵ Choose a one-year-old male that is intact and free of blemishes; you can take it from the sheep or the goats. ⁶ Keep this chosen lamb safe until the fourteenth day of the month, then the entire community of Israel will slaughter their lambs together at twilight. ⁷ They are to take some of its blood and smear it across the top and down the two sides of the doorframe of the houses where they plan to eat. ⁸ That night, have them roast the lamb over a fire and feast on it along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. ⁹ Do not eat any meat raw or boil it in water; only eat the meat after the entire animal has been roasted over a fire with its head, legs, and intestines attached. ¹⁰ Eat whatever you can, but don’t leave any of it until morning; whatever is left over in the morning burn in the fire. ¹¹ Here is how I want you to eat this meal: Be sure you are dressed and ready to go at a moment’s notice—with sandals on your feet and a walking stick in your hand. Eat quickly because this is My Passover.

¹² I am going to pass through the land of Egypt during the night and put to death all their firstborn children and animals. I will also execute My judgments against all the gods of the Egyptians, for I am the Eternal One! ¹³ The blood on the doorframes of your houses will be a sign of where you are. When I pass by and see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague will not afflict you when I strike the land of Egypt with death.

¹⁴ This will be a day for you to always remember. I want you and all generations after you to commemorate this day with a festival to Me. Celebrate this feast as a perpetual ordinance, a permanent part of your life together. ¹⁵ You are to eat bread made without yeast for seven days. On the first day get rid of any yeast you find in your house. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven festival days must be cut off from the rest of Israel. ¹⁶ On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh, gather the community together for a time of sacred worship. No one may work on those two days except to prepare what every person needs to eat. ¹⁷ Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread because it commemorates the day that I led your forces out of Egypt. Honor and celebrate this day throughout all your generations as a perpetual ordinance, a permanent part of your life together. ¹⁸ From the evening of the fourteenth day of that first month to the evening of the twenty-first day of that month, eat bread made without yeast. ^19-20 No yeast is to be found in any of your houses during the seven festival days. Whoever eats anything that has yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel. It doesn’t matter whether he is a foreigner or a native; the same standards apply. During the seven festival days, do not eat anything made with yeast; wherever you live and gather together, be sure you eat only unleavened bread.

²¹ Then Moses called all of Israel’s elders together and gave them instructions.

Moses: Go and pick out lambs for each of your families, and then slaughter your family’s Passover lamb. ²² Take a handful of hyssop branches, dip them down into the bowl of blood you drained from the sacrifice, and mark the top of the doorway and the two doorposts with blood from the bowl. After you do this, no one should go out that door until the next morning.

²³ The Eternal will pass through the land during the night and bring death to the Egyptians. But when He sees the blood-markings across the tops of your doorways and down your two doorposts, He will pass over your houses and not allow His messenger of death to enter into your houses and strike you down. ²⁴ You and all your descendants are obligated to keep these instructions for all time. ²⁵ Even after you arrive in the land the Eternal has promised you—the land flowing with milk and honey—you must keep these instructions and perform this ritual. ²⁶ When your children ask you, “What does this ritual mean to you?” ²⁷ you will answer them, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Eternal, for He passed over the houses of the Israelites when we were slaves in Egypt. And although He struck the Egyptians, He spared our lives and our houses.”

When Moses finished these instructions, the people bowed down and worshiped.

²⁸ The Israelites went and did as they were instructed; they were obedient to what the Eternal had commanded Moses and Aaron.

²⁹ Now this is what happened: at midnight, He struck down all the firstborn sons in Egypt—from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoners locked in the dungeon, and even the firstborn of all the livestock in the land. ³⁰ Pharaoh woke up during the night. He wasn’t the only one. His servants, as well as all of the Egyptians in the land, had awoken. A great scream shattered the night in Egypt, for there was not a single Egyptian house where someone was not dead.

Don’t forget your history (Exodus 9:13-35), Jan 24, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 9
Edmund Burke, one of America’s supporters in the British House of Commons during its disputes leading to the American Revolution is known for saying, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Such was Pharaoh’s problem. He failed to know the history of Egypt and the role My people played in rescuing it from ruin. He failed to learn about Joseph, the second highest leader in the nation during the greatest famine in Egypt’s history.

Pharaoh saw the Hebrew’s as a blight in his country instead of an asset to him. He saw their growth as a threat instead of a blessing. He didn’t read his history to find I would bless all nations through My covenant with Abraham. Instead, Pharaoh enslaved My chosen people and tried to crush them. He began to kill My children to try to wipe out My Hebrew race. But as with all such leaders bent on the genocide of My people, I will never let it happen. They are My people.

So, I raised Moses to show Pharaoh My power. I allowed Pharaoh to take his place on the throne in the first place. I could remove him as well. Pharaoh would hear from one who grew up in the palace. The rest of Egypt might think him a god, but Moses lived with him in the palace and knew he was nothing but a man, and a flawed one. My message, delivered by one who knew Pharaoh well, would shake the faith of the man on the throne who teaches others to bow to him. He would know only I am worthy of worship.

The plagues I would bring would attack the icons of their religions. I would turn their most sacredly held things against them. I would show them the power of the One True God. And beginning with the plague of hail, I would make a distinction between the Egyptians and My people. My people would not feel the effects of my power, but all those outside the bounds of My chosen family would feel the wrath of God.

What do I want you to learn from Pharaoh’s story? He failed to remember his nation’s history. My people saved his country from ruin. Today, many in America want to rewrite its history and take Me out of it. But America was founded on, thrived and grew to become a mighty nation because the majority of its people trusted and believed in Me. Today, belief in Me is slipping away. Don’t let forget your history. More important, don’t forget My story.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 9:13-35
Set – Exodus 9; Luke 24
Go! – Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Exodus 9:13-35
Eternal One (to Moses): 13 Get up early tomorrow morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, “The Eternal, the God of the Hebrews, has a message for you: ‘Release My people, so that they may serve Me. 14 This time, if you refuse, I’m going to send a series of plagues upon you yourself, your servants, and your people. Then you will see that there is no one else as great as I am in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have easily raised my hand and struck you and your people with a disease so lethal that you would be erased entirely from the earth. 16 But I have kept you in power for a reason, to show you My greater power and to see that My name and reputation spread through all the earth. 17 But you still try to dominate My people and refuse to release them from the land. 18 This time tomorrow, I will unleash an enormous hailstorm upon you—a storm like no other that has ever occurred in Egypt since its beginning until now. 19 So gather all your livestock and anything left in your fields into a safe place. Protect it the best you can, for every man or animal left unprotected in the field when the hailstorm arrives will die.’”

20 Some of Pharaoh’s servants feared the Eternal’s message, so they gathered their servants and livestock into the safety of their houses. 21 But there were others who did not take seriously the Eternal’s word, and they left their servants and livestock unprotected in the field.

Eternal One (to Moses): 22 Raise your hand up toward the heavens, and hail will rain from the sky across the entire land of Egypt—upon people and animals and all the crops in the field throughout the land of Egypt.

23 So Moses raised his staff up toward the heavens, and the Eternal released loud thunder and hail from the sky, and fire streaked down upon the earth. He caused hail to rain down upon all of Egypt. 24 As the hail fell, lightning pierced the darkness and lit up the sky. The hailstorm was so intense that it was like no other that had ever occurred in Egypt since its beginning. 25 The hail pounded everything to the ground that remained in the fields, both people and their animals; it crushed every crop, it shattered every tree. 26 There was only one place the hail did not fall—Goshen—where the people of Israel lived.

27 Pharaoh then sent for Moses and Aaron.

Pharaoh: I admit that this time I’ve gone too far. I have sinned. The Eternal is in the right; I and my people have done wrong. 28 Go back to the Eternal and plead my case. We have had enough of your God’s thunder and hail. I will agree to release you—you and your people will not stay any longer.

Moses: 29 Watch closely. The moment I step outside the city gates, I will lift up my hands to the Eternal, and the thunder and hail will stop. Then you will know that the earth belongs to Him. 30 But I know very well that you and your servants do not yet fear the Eternal God.

31 (The flax and barley crops were both destroyed, because the barley heads were nearly ripe and buds had formed on the flax when the hail fell. 32 But the wheat and the spelt had not yet sprouted, so these crops were spared.)

33 Moses left Pharaoh and departed the city. He lifted up his hands to the Eternal and prayed. When he did, the thunder and hail and heavy rains stopped. 34 But as soon as Pharaoh saw that the weather had changed, and he and his servants were certain that the hail and thunder and heavy rains were no longer a threat, they became utterly defiant and Pharaoh hardened his stubborn heart once again. 35 Because his heart was as hard as stone, he refused to release the Israelites as he promised. This happened exactly as the Eternal One predicted through Moses.

Doubt is okay, just don’t give up (Exodus 6:1-13), Jan 23, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 6.
Sometimes doing what I ask of you will seem like beating your head against the wall. You will tell Me you’ve done that before with no results. Jesus’ disciples felt that way sometimes. They were expert fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing and Jesus told them to do what seemed foolish. “Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.” They thought, “What do we have to lose? One more cast won’t make a difference, so we might as well try.” They filled their nets with a haul that almost sank their little trawler.

Noah probably felt the same way sometimes as he cut lumber for an ark. The world had never seen a drop of rain in his day. His neighbors ridiculed him, mocked him, and laughed at him, for the 100 years it took to build the ark. But he kept at the task until one day I told him to go in with his family and the animals and I shut the door. Then the rain began. Everyone else wanted in, but I shut the door and Noah couldn’t open it. Noah saved his family by doing what others thought foolish.

Moses and Aaron spoke their people about My coming deliverance. The people were excited until the labor doubled and the supplies didn’t increase to do the work. Then they only got angry at Moses and Aaron for what they thought was foolishness. Moses and Aaron weren’t so sure it was a good idea to talk to Pharaoh either. But that’s okay. They didn’t quit.

That’s the secret in following Me. It’s okay to doubt Me sometimes. The disciples did. Noah did. Moses and Aaron did. The important thing, though, they continued to follow My directions even though they didn’t make sense to them. They believed in Me enough to keep going. They knew for My past interventions with them that I would follow through on My promises with them and they continued to do what I asked of them.

Doubts can creep in at times, but I’m big enough to take those. Just keep pushing onward and upward. Keep doing what I ask of you, complete with doubts. I will reward you richly in the end. Your doubts will melt away and you’ll see that I always make good on the promises I give you. Now, go do what I asked you to do today. You know what it is.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 6:1-13
Set – Exodus 6; Luke 23
Go! – Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Exodus 6:1-13
¹ The Eternal One spoke to Moses.

Eternal One: Now you will see what I have in store for Pharaoh. When Pharaoh sees the power of My hand, he will not only send My people from this land, he will drive them out.

² (pointedly to Moses) I am the Eternal. ³ I revealed Myself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God-All-Powerful; but I did not reveal My name, the Eternal One, to them. ⁴ I also made My covenant with them. I promised I would give them Canaan—the land where their ancestors lived as strangers. ⁵ In addition, I have heard the constant cries of the Israelites who have been enslaved by the Egyptians. I have remembered My covenant; ⁶ go now and tell the people of Israel, “I am the Eternal, and I will rescue you from the heavy load the Egyptians have laid on you. I will liberate you from their oppression. I will stretch out my powerful arm and free you with amazing acts of judgment. ⁷ Then I will gather you to Me as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Eternal who rescued you from the heavy load the Egyptians have put on you. ₈ I will lead you into Canaan—the very land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession for I am the Eternal.”

⁹ So Moses went and told these things to the Israelites, but they turned a deaf ear to him because they were in such low spirits and exhausted from their harsh labor.

¹⁰ The Eternal One once again instructed Moses.

Eternal One: ¹¹ Go speak with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and tell him to release the Israelites from his land.

Moses: ¹² The Israelites haven’t paid attention to anything I’ve said. How do You expect Pharaoh to listen to me if my own people won’t? I am not fit to speak for You.

¹³ The Eternal then addressed Moses and Aaron and gave them instructions about dealing with the Israelites and Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The instructions had to do with bringing the Israelites out of Egypt.

I AM – Now! (Exodus 3:1-18), Jan 22, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Devotional

Today’s background scripture comes from Exodus 3

Time has no bounds with me. I surprised Moses by announcing My name to him. Those living today are not so surprised because language changed immediately upon My announcement. But in the Hebrew language they had no word for now, the immediate present. It really doesn’t exist. As soon as you think about the present it becomes the past. And if you think about what comes ahead and will become the present soon, you speak of the future. So there really is no present…. Except for Me.

I am not bound by the limits of space and time and exist in the past, present, and future. Time has no meaning with me and so I gave Moses My name as “I AM”. The present. The impossible moment. The one who exists that cannot exist. The one who creates from nothing. The one who knows all. The one who spans time from beginning to end and beyond either end of time itself.

When you meditate on it, you realize there is no now, except for Me. Everything else is past or future. You can do nothing about the past because it is gone. You cannot change the past. It happened and you can only plan and act for the future to make it better. Your hopes and dreams always cue to future events, never past events. They have disappeared and cannot come back for you. You can learn from your past, but you cannot change your past.

You can look toward your future, but you have no promise of tomorrow. No one knows the day or the hour death will knock on his door and call life to an end. You can hope for the future, but there are never promises for tomorrow. So what about the now that really doesn’t exist? What can you do with that? You can only give it to Me because I am the only One and the only thing that truly exists in the present. You can trust Me to hold you in my hands as you slip from future hopes to past events in your journey of life. One day you will face eternity and time will become meaningless for you, too. Until then, trust Me with your present. I AM will always be there when nothing else can.

Today’s Scripture

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Exodus 3:1-18
Set – Exodus 3; Luke 22
Go! – Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Exodus 3:1-18
¹Now one day when Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, he guided the flock far away from its usual pastures to the other side of the desert and came to a place known as Horeb, where the mountain of God stood. ² There, the Special Messenger of the Eternal appeared to Moses in a fiery blaze from within the bush. Moses looked again at the bush as it blazed; but to his amazement, the bush did not burn up in flames.

Moses (to himself): ³ Why is this bush not burning up? I need to move a little closer to get a better look at this amazing sight.

⁴ When the Eternal One saw Moses approach the burning bush to observe it more closely, He called out to him from within the bush.

Eternal One: Moses! Moses!

Moses: I’m right here.

Eternal One: ⁵ Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals and stand barefoot on the ground in My presence, for this ground is holy ground. ⁶ I am the True God, the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

A feeling of dread and awe rushed over Moses; he hid his face because he was afraid he might catch a glimpse of the True God.

Eternal One: ⁷ I have seen how My people in Egypt are being mistreated. I have heard their groaning when the slave drivers torment and harass them; for I know well their suffering. ⁸ I have come to rescue them from the oppression of the Egyptians, to lead them from that land where they are slaves and to give them a good land—a wide, open space flowing with milk and honey. The land is currently inhabited by Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. ⁹ The plea of Israel’s children has come before Me, and I have observed the cruel treatment they have suffered by Egyptian hands. ¹⁰ So go. I’m sending you back to Egypt as My messenger to the Pharaoh. I want you to gather My people—the children of Israel—and bring them out of Egypt.

Moses (to God): ¹¹ Who am I to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel’s children out of Egypt?

Eternal One: ¹² Do not fear, Moses. I will be with you every step of the way, and this will be the sign to you that I am the One who has sent you: after you have led them out of Egypt, you will return to this mountain and worship God.

Moses: ¹³ Let’s say I go to the people of Israel and tell them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to rescue you,” and then they reply, “What is His name?” What should I tell them then?

Eternal One: ¹⁴ I AM WHO I AM. This is what you should tell the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to rescue you.”

¹⁵ This is what you are to tell Israel’s people: “The Eternal, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob is the One who has sent me to you.” This is My name forevermore, and this is the name by which all future generations shall remember Me.

¹⁶ Round up all the elders in Israel and tell them, “The Eternal, the God of your fathers and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has revealed Himself to me and said, ‘I have been watching over you, and I am deeply troubled by what has been done to you in Egypt. ¹⁷ So I will rescue you from the oppression you have suffered in Egypt, and lead you to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a rich and productive land flowing with milk and honey.’” ¹⁸ They will listen to all that you tell them; you and the elders will then go to visit Egypt’s king and tell the king, “The Eternal, the Hebrews’ God, has appeared to us. We ask that you allow us to travel three days’ distance into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Eternal.”

In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.