PRIME - Day 14

Read Exodus 27 & 28

Woah. You're probably thinking...how detailed can you get? Yesterday we read Exodus 25 & 26 which was also full of details for how to build the tabernacle. Chapter 27 picks right up giving ornate details as to how to build the altar and flows right into chapter 28 which explains and gives instructions on how to make clothes for the priests. In all of this detailed instruction, there were a few things that stood out to me.

1.) The behind the scenes workers were just as important as the priests. 
Check out chapter 28 verse 3, "Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as a priest." Even though the tailors that made Aaron's garments weren't going before God, they were instructed to take special care and great pride in their job because it enabled Aaron to lead as God wanted him to. Sometimes I can feel overlooked or unappreciated because I'm not on a stage preaching or leading some worldwide movement to reach others for Christ but God reminds me that my job is just as vital as those who are in the limelight. Don't back yourself in a corner just because you aren't the leader, many leaders couldn't function without those working behind the scenes.

2.) If God took such great care and meticulous construction in having the tabernacle made, how much more did he work to create us?
After reading both chapters today, I was completely overwhelmed by the detail in which the tabernacle was constructed. Nothing was left to be questioned. Nothing was made by accident. Nothing was made up as they went. Everything was well thought out and planned ahead of time. The same, and even more, is true for us. We weren't made by accident or thrown haphazardly together last minute like a science fair project. God loves us and put a lot of thought into making us.


-Amy

PRIME - Day 13

Details... details... details!

That pretty much sums up today's chapters. Wow! How could all these details possibly mean anything to us?

Obviously, God had some specific instructions on how He wanted Moses to construct the objects that would symbolize His presence and Glory amongst the Israelite  people. Although we may not understand all the specifics of the proposed building project, I believe that through them we catch a glimpse of one of God's most amazing attributes... His Creativity!

Creative Genius...

Just think about all the things that God has created. I mean its pretty much... EVERYTHING!  Just think about being the one who first conceived water, air, the sun, the moon, animals, people, etc.  Not only did He create these things and many more, but he had a specific purpose and plan for everything to affect the other.  I can hear the Lion King "Circle of Life" song in my head now! It's hard to fathom that kind of creativity and genius.

That's what's so cool (and overwhelming) about Exodus 25-26. We see God actually communicating these creative details to people.  We notice that He doesn't just say, "build me a box for my stuff and a room to Worship me in," he gives a clear blueprint for the build.

God isn't just specific about those things only. We can know for sure that since God created us, He has just as specific of a plan for our lives. It's all mapped out.  No surprises for Him. He knows the details and wants to reveal more of them to us everyday. So now that we are convinced that God is definitely into details, are you willing to continue trusting Him with yours?

-Brian

PRIME - Day 11

READ EXODUS 21-22

Exodus 22:31 - "You must be my holy people."

At first glance, these two chapters in Exodus look like they could never apply to our lives or current situations.  But upon closer look, if we look at the bigger picture, we can really learn something from God's commands to his people.  

We have to realize that cultures during this time were absolutely brutal.  There were no laws, no rules, and no regulations.  People just did their own thing.  If they felt like killing someone - they would kill them.  If they felt like taking someone else's property, they would take it.  It was an extremely chaotic time to live in.  

With this in mind, God wanted his people to be different.  So, not only did he give them the ten commandments, but he also began listing other commands for the people to follow.  There would be a visible difference between those who belonged to God and those who didn't.  

So don't focus on all the rules when you read these chapters.  God's motives weren't to make up rules just because.  But he wanted his people to be SET APART.  Not only that, but he knew that the people would soon realize that it was impossible to keep all the rules - magnifying their need for a perfect savior - who would come into the world to replace the old system.  (That's Jesus, by the way.)  I'm thankful that there's forgiveness in Jesus when I can't keep all the rules.

So, Are you set apart?

-Taylor

PRIME- Day 12

"Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority." -Exodus 23:2

Read Exodus 23 & 24

What about them?!
As we begin looking in Exodus 23, we see The Lord giving instructions on how to live your life. Simple instructions but many times they can be so difficult to follow. At the beginning of the chapter he instructs the people not to gossip or join others who are doing things that aren't pleasing to him. How many times have we all found ourselves talking about something or someone that we know we shouldn't? It's easy to do and the devil knows that. He would rather us worry about others and all their failures than work on our own problems. However, that is why The Lord gave us instructions. He knew that it would be difficult in all our lives. If we will focus on fixing ourselves then we won't have time to worry about others. I am so thankful that God gave us guidelines so we didn't have to face these difficulties without help. Remember that whatever you are facing, God already has a set of instructions for you to follow.


Obey
How many of us have a hard time obeying? I remember when I lived at home and I hated obeying what my parents told me to do. I thought they didn't know what they were talking about and they were being ridiculous. However, as I've gotten older, I've realized that my parents were pretty much right most of the time. You see at first, the people questioned God. They didn't really buy in to what he was telling Moses. In Chapter 24 we see a change of heart in the people. They weren't questioning him nor Moses anymore. They were all on board. They has seen what he had done and quickly realized he was the man with the plan. For most of us, we know what we need to do but we just choose not to obey. Don't go through life doing your own thing and ignoring what God is trying to get you to do. Obey him today. Maybe he wants you to step up in our Youth Group, start a bible study, spend more time with him or involve yourself with different surroundings. Whatever it is for you I pray you will obey God today and follow his plans for your life. Don't go through self-inflicted hard times because you chose not to obey.

Pray
Ask God to show you what areas in your life you need to work on. When he shows you, and he will, follow his plan. It might not be what you thought it would be or the easiest thing to do but just remember he knows best. When we obey him and follow his plans for our lives everything seems to fall into place. So thankful he knows what we need before we even know we need it!


                                                                                                                                  - Trey

PRIME - Day 10

Read Exodus 19 & 20.

In chapter 19 the Israelites settle at the base of Mt. Sinai. Moses climbs the mountain to hear from the Lord about what he should do next. God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites in verses 4-5 "you have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me."

The Israelites response to God in verse 8 is how any of us would respond: "They all responded together, "We will certainly do everything the Lord asks of us." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the Lord."

When the Israelites were having to travel and trust that Moses was appointed by God to help them they often complained about what they were having to do, yet time and time again God provided for them. Now that they are being offered rewards for obedience of course they answer with a "certainly we will do everything the Lord asks of us." As Christians, I feel like many times it's easy for us to obey God when we know there is an obvious blessing or reward in return.

But what about when God asks us to obey Him when there isn't an obvious blessing or reward in return? Do we easily choose to be obedient or do we often try to bargain with God as if his commands are up for negotiation?

In chapter 20 God instructs the people in how to live in obedience to Him. These are what we know as the Ten Commandments (verses 2-17). The Israelites were in awe and fear as God spoke directly to them. In verse 20 Moses says, "Don't be afraid, for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!" Could you imagine being one of the crowd members trying to take it all in? Surely the Israelites would straighten up and stop sinning, especially after such an encounter with God.

Let's dig together into the next chapters to find out how the Israelites respond...

-Amy

PRIME - Day 9

Read Exodus 17 & 18.

In chapter 17, we again read of God's faithfulness to the grumbling Israelites. It's as if their current problem has caused temporary amnesia to the times when God has provided for them before. Not just in small ways, but in miraculous ways! The Israelites are blinded by their current problem, (no water and they are pretty thirsty), and all they can seem to do is complain about it to Moses. God commands Moses to strike a rock and water comes gushing out for the Israelites to drink...yet another miracle proving God's power and love for his people.

I thought it was pretty interesting that Moses was commanded to perform this miracle with the very same shepherd's staff that he used when he turned the Nile into blood. And after this miracle, he uses the same staff to help Joshua and his troops beat the Amalek army (verses 11-13). This made me think...

God has already given us the tools we need to carry out His will in our lives.

In chapter 18, we read about Jethro (Moses' father-in-law) visiting Moses and encouraging him. Verse 9 says, "Jethro was delighted when he heard about all that the Lord had done for Israel as he brought them out of Egypt." Jethro was no doubt swelling with pride as he heard of how Moses was being used by God. Not only was Jethro there to encourage Moses, he also found out what all Moses was having to do by himself and wisely told Moses in verse 18 "You're going to wear yourself out - and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself".

How often have you felt worn out with a heavy burden or responsibility?

Jethro tells Moses to appoint judges over groups of men to help carry the load and make the task easier for him. Sometimes we need people to lovingly put their arm around us and say, "you are doing too much, breathe and ask for help." If you are trying to do too much on your own remember that the burden was not meant for you to carry alone. Matthew 11:29-30 says, "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 


-Amy

PRIME - Day 8

PRIME - Day 8

Read Exodus 15 & 16

These two chapters follow the Israelites journey through the wilderness after God totally delivered them from the Egyptians by drowning Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.  Chapter 15 is mostly comprised of the song that Moses and Miriam (Aaron's sister) chanted as they celebrated the great deliverance God had given them.  It's a song that declares God's strength and faithfulness to defend His people, and for a while the Israelites were riding high with emotions because of what God did for them right before their very eyes.

In typical fashion though, we see the Israelites getting back to their old ways of griping and complaining.  Near the end of the chapter, we see the Israelites upset after wandering in the desert for 3 days without finding any water. When they finally came across water, they couldn't drink it because it was bitter.  I guess parting and entire Red Sea wasn't enough for them to trust that God knows what He's doing when it comes to water.  Once again, God shows His faithfulness in spite of their faithlessness.  After Moses prayed, God instructed him to throw a stick into the water and as soon as he did the water became sweet and fit to drink.

As aggravating as these Israelites seem to be it's as if these events took place in order to cry out to every generation, "God hasn't brought you this far to leave you for dead!"

That's exactly what we see throughout chapter 16.  Once again we see the Israelites in need and beginning to grumble.  This time they want food.  It's obvious they weren't too optimistic about finding any in the middle of the desert.  Instead of praying and trusting God to provide as He already had, they began to complain again.  This time God had a plan to provide for them and teach them to trust Him everyday.  He instructed Moses on what He would do and what He expected the people to do as well.  He said he would provide two things for food:

1.  Meat in the evening

2.  Bread in the morning.

He told Moses that the people were to only gather what they needed for each day (about 3lbs of bread).  No leftovers!  He wanted them to learn to look to Him everyday for what they needed.

As promised the birds flew in that evening and the people were able to eat their meat.  The next morning there was thin flaky bread covering the ground that tasted like sweet honey.  God was faithful to His Word.  Still the Israelites didn't follow directions and tried to store up the food only to find it rotten by the next day.

This is how life is designed to work.  Looking to God everyday for his provision and listening carefully to his instructions.  His Word paints a clear picture to us that He has not brought us this far to leave us all alone.  He is prepared and willing to provide for us the things we need  and rain down His blessings when we follow Him closely.


                                                                                                             
-Brian