Chronological Readings -

Jan 28: Interesting concept of "fearing God" - to keep us from sinning (exod. 20.20) I've struggled at times fearing God since we've made him our father and our friend ... where is the God of wrath to be feared. We must fear him or else we could abuse his love in our lives.

I was also struck by Exod 23 where it the Lord says he won't drive out these nations all at once since then the wild animals will take over the land. The question I had was - God can wipe out the nations but not control the wild animals? The cool revelation I had was that even too much of a good thing could prove to be a bad thing.

Jan 29: Reading the details of the tabernacle was one of the toughest reads of this plan to date. I can't get a good picture of what this is to look like with words only. I loved the commentary when it spoke of no detail to small for God - he had this tabernacle planned down to the curtains.

Also, I had this cool though - where did these "skilled tradesmen" learn to work with gold and sew these curtains with beautiful designs ... in EGYPT. God's plan of slavery was finally coming full circle!

Jan 30: Time to hire some pastors! I'm happy to be a pastor in this century ... lot's to remember about the order of worship and the detailed formula of incense and the types of offerings back in the day. A sin offering. A burnt offering that was pleasing to God. A wave offering (that was new to me). A census offering. All of the sudden, my job seems really, really easy!

I love the Lord and I'm privileged to serve him today!

Got up to date on my Chronological reading again today. Watching the hand of God through dealing 10 plagues to Egypt was tough. I underlined where "Pharaoh hardened his heart" and where it says that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart." I find it interesting that this could go both ways but that God acted in this way.

Page 108 (Ex. 9:13-26) - "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raided you up for this purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
God appears to have control over those who:
- don't fear him
- don't know him
- don't love him
- don't obey him
.... as much as he has influence and control over those of us who do. This is a strong arguement for "predestination." Predestination means that God establishes who will be in His Kingdom and (obviously) those who are not. This is a troubling doctrine for Weslyan doctrine people like me - however, as I read the scriptures, it appears that there is a sense of predestination - when God desires to show His power, His glory, His "ultimateness". There is also a clear call that Jesus came for ALL and that God desires that NO MAN should perish in hell. Can the truth about this be found in the middle? I hope so.

Chronological Reading Post:
We've knocked out our first book of the Bible ... onto Exodus. This has been an amazing journey. Joseph's life was filled with so much struggle yet (from what we can see) he didn't complain. It was interesting this time through that I noticed when he finally rises to power in Egypt that he named his first born "because God has helped me forget my trouble ..." (Gen 41:50-52). It wasn't that he was able to forget this junk that happened to him, it's that he was able to see the BIG PICTURE during it all. God is at work in each of our lives ... this means that we don't have to be (and shouldn't be) in control - or manipulate things to go our way! Let God lead - even through Egypt if we may ... for that is the BEST God has to offer us ... not only for today ... but for tomorrow!

I'm really enjoying seeing those who will eventually be in Jesus' family line ... deceiving men, and harlett women ... God can use anyone, can't he!?! Praise the Lord! The difference being that these people recognized their errors and turn from them ... they are sensitive to the LEADING of God and are willing to follow Him anywhere.

The moral of this BLOG is "don't get behind!" Some great reading today ... Jan 6-8 of the Chronological Bible Reading Plan for 2008.

Gen 15: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This is a powerful statement from God. I need this, too.

The Covenant scene in chapter 15 is absolutely cool. The commentary in our Bible is absolutely right on with the description. It's one of my favorite scenes in this early narrative as God pledges to be with Abrahm and give him a mighty nation. I would love to have seen that smoldering pot and torch pass through that bloody ally - sealing the deal of God's faithfulness to the people who would become Israel.

It's interesting that Hagar (Sarai's maidservant) is from Egypt and that when she gets a wife for her son (Ishmael) she finds and Egyptian girl. (Gen 21.21).

Timeline ... circumcision makes it's debut ... enough said.

I found it really cool that God called a man named Abram. Abram was given a promise and even tried to fullfill that promise by adopting another son, and by having a son by his wife's maidservant. Honorable attempts but they fell short of God's perfect plan. Just before God's perfect plan is set into motion, God confirms his promise with Abram and then does something really cool ... he changes his name. He is made NEW! Now God can do His work in AbraHAMS life! Now Isaac can be conceived and raised ... God took the old man (Abram), and molded him into a new man (Abraham). God's timing is strange but perfect!

Did I like Sarah's sarcasm in chapter 18? You bet! I hear her saying "You wait 'til we can't have sex (because we are worn out) to give me a son ... perrrfect!" Then she denied even being the smart elic ... to which God said ... "Yes you were!" I loved this scene.

Insight into the Lot/Sodom scene that was fresh - the angels actually pulled Lot and his family from Sodom. Lot hesitates, and they grab his family's hands and run out of town pulling them the whole way! Sometimes we have choices ... other times we are getting yanked by our arms ... either way, God is providing for those he loves! Isn't that cool?!!

Blessings on your readings ... email me rather than post ... terry@high-pointe.org!

January 3:
I'm struck by the details God offers Noah. Incredible. I can't imagine the volume of food required for Noah's family and for the animals. It also struck me that God's wrath was directed at all of his creation - not just humans. Mankind seems to be the evil one; however, God is starting over by wiping out all animals, too. Hmmm ...

I think I need to rent "Evan Almighty".

NEW READING PLAN

I've started the Chronological reading plan. I'm on target ... 2 days in! If you would like to learn more about this reading plan - email me at terry@high-pointe.org

Blessings on this new year!