Blogging through the #B90 Days: Day 7

Blogging through the Bible in 90 Days  with 900 others reading along at the same time.  Learn more at Mom's Toolbox.

Reading:   Exodus 29 - Exodus 40

Scripture:  Exodus 31: 1 - 6
1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

Observations: 
Workmanship, and skill in artistry are gifts from God!  Bestowed on certain individuals that God chose!


Application:


This portion jumped out off of the page (um... screen.... I was in the car reading on my YouVersion Bible App) at me since I am a musician.

I have always known that God gives talents, and God uses them in us for His glory.
But it was just beautiful to see the first mention of creative workmanship, and artistic skills being given by God for HIS purpose.

It was just a sweet love note from my Father, reminding me that I am who HE designed me to be, with the gifts, and talents that HE gave me.  And that as a public school music teacher I may not be able to proclaim the Gospel in words, but my being their IS a part of my purpose.

And also, it was a gentle nudge to not neglect the area of music ministry, and preparing my library of worship songs, and improving my skills as a worship leader.

Prayer:


Lord,
Thank you so much for the things that you are showing me as I am reading through the Bible in its entirety for the second time.  Help me to learn all that I can -- make my mind and heart open to your instruction.

And Lord, help what I learn to reveal itself in my daily life.  Please forgive me for the grouch that I have been at times, and thank you for blessing me with a family that is quick to forgive.

You are everything.
You are my everything.
And I will adore you.


Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 13: 1-35

Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox

Reading:  Matthew 13: 1 - 35


Scripture:

Matthew 13 : 16-17

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17  For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Application:


 This was not the verse that I was expecting to jump out at me.  It was interesting.  There are so many parables that have valuable life lessons.  I checked them off as I read through.  Yes, yes, oh that's a good one....  etc.  This verse didn't really even warrant a response from me on the first read-through.  Ha!

But on the third, it jumped right out at me.

And I realized -- whoa. This verse, while it is Jesus talking to his disciples about actually being WITH JESUS and seeing the miracles, and hearing the teachings, is also completely relevant to our ability to completely saturate ourselves with the Word, and teachings, and fellowship.  I mean -- just look at what we are doing here!!  Don't you think that Sarah would have loved to have a group of awesome bloggers to talk through the prophesy that she was going to have a child even though she was.... um...over the hill??   And what about Tamar?  She was going through some pretty heavy stuff and would definitely have benefitted from some encouragement via the world wide web.  And Mary, the mother of our Lord.
She could have used some virtual hugs and e-cards and some shared awe and wonder at the Majesty of our God!

We have all of these tools at our disposal, and we are abundantly blessed because of it.

But more than that----  we have the privilege of the presence of our Savior at any and all times.  I know that I do not live my life at all moments like I am feeling the presence of my Savior.

I want that to change.

Prayer:


Lord,
Oh how you have blessed me.  My human mind will never be able to understand how you can be so completely and intimately involved with my life, and be the same for everyone, everywhere. It hurts my head to try to comprehend it.  But you ARE.  You are the Alpha, the Omega, and everything in between.

Thank you so much for :

1) This opportunity -- blogging through the gospels, learning a new way of digging into Scripture and really feeling like I am hearing from you on a regular basis.
2) my parents... I am just so overwhelmed that they are walking WITH you!  You are so good!
3) My boys (the two littles and one adult)
4) My job...  I love it, and I love my students.
5) EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT!!!

6 and forever)  The CROSS.

I can't take it.... I am sitting here crying because I am so grateful for what you have done in my life, and what you continue to do in my life -- knowing how completely UNWORTHY I am.

In awe, and humbled yet again,
Amen.

Blogging Through the Gospels: Matthew 12

Blogging Through the Gospels with Amy from Mom's Toolbox
Reading:  Matthew 12


Scripture:   
Matthew 12: 9-13


 ⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
 ¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
 ¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Matthew 12: 9 - 13

Observation:

The pharisees were watching, observing every action of Jesus, waiting for something that they could use against him.  Jesus knew what they were doing, and still tried to show them the True nature of God.

Application:

My heart broke when I read this account the two or three times that it is recorded in the different Gospels as I was reading the Bible in 90 Days.  The Lord pressed a deep sorrow on my heart that the ones who were supposed to be His people, and the ones who were LEADING His people were missing the point so entirely.  The rules, the guidelines, were never meant to be worshiped. They were to point to the depravity of our spirit, and our need for a Savior.  The teachers of the Law were so bent on following the RULES that they had no compassion, mercy, or love.

How our Jesus must have hurt to see the reality of their spiritual condition.  It was ALWAYS the plan.  It's not like He didn't realize that we were going to blow it and need a Savior.   He knew, before the foundation of the world, that He was going to redeem the world.  But the teachers of the Law were rejecting the Heart of God, and leading others astray in the process.  It's one thing to know that something is happening.  It's entirely different when you see it with your own eyes. 

Prayer:

Lord, my heart breaks for the lost.  My heart breaks for those who think they understand what Christianity is all about because they were lectured by someone who had a set of rules, rather than a relationship.  I was one of the lost. I thank you, so much, for your gentle pursuit of me.  Help me to share your joy, your peace, your love with everyone.  

Thank you for everything.  I am in awe.

Amen.