Tag: Living God

The Next Step

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 32:1-19, 30-33; 33:12-17; 34:1-7 (day five)  7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them.

It happened that fast.  Perhaps it was an idea or a fleeting thought.  Maybe it was born out of fear or frustration.  The end result was an immediate derailing from God’s plan and path.

This summer at Youth Camp we are studying Galatians 5:24-25.  25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

This verse speaks to the attention and the determination we MUST have in order to serve and follow the Living God.  Sin and disobedience are as close as “the next step”.

One of my new favorite songs has these lyrics:  To my heart I preach Your sovereignty and the power of Your name.  God, let hope arise and faith become the fortress of my heart.  I will lift my eyes and see You as the awesome God You are, believe You as the awesome God You are.

How and when do we “preach” to our hearts the power, strength, and goodness of the Living God?

God with us

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 25:1-11, 17-18, 23-24, 31-32; 26:1-2, 7-8; 27:1-2; 29:43-46 (day one) 

After the Passover, after the Red Sea Crossing, after the 10 Commandments, after the Covenant was ratified, God commanded Moses to build a sanctuary.  Hebrew=miqdash, “holy or sacred place”.  The sanctuary (Tabernacle) was to stand in the center of the camp signifying worship as the center of this new society.  The sanctuary was to be made exactly after the pattern God gave Moses–v 25:9.  It was for the purpose of worship and God promised to meet the people in this holy place.  “And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them.”–v 29:46.  What a lofty, beautiful vision of human life!  God with us!  Immanuel.  May the symbol of the sanctuary drive our hearts to hunger for this promised unbroken fellowship with the Living God.  May we dream of the safety and profit and joy that comes when He is near.

Jesus Believed…

Re: Verse reading–John 11:17-44 (day five)

When Jesus walked the earth, his actions and attitudes are worth noting and following.  By becoming flesh (human), Jesus affords us opportunities to see His Wisdom, Strength, and Authority.  There are great insights to be gained as we are presented with occasions to understand what Jesus really believed about:  scripture, eternity, heaven, a relationship with His Father (to name a few).

John 11: 41 – Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.”

Jesus believed that not only was He able to hear from God, but also that God heard Him.  He really believed that God hears and responds to the prayers of His children.  He really believed that in a relationship with God, communication was not only possible, but also essential.

What would a real and honest conversation sound like between each of us and the Living God this day, this moment?  What would we say?  More importantly, what would God say?

Clarity

Re: Verse reading–2 Chronicles 20:1-4, 13-15; Matthew 6:16-18; Acts 13:1-3 (day five)

14 Then in the midst of the assembly the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah

I have heard it many times already this week as we’ve been at camp- teenagers that have had a clear unmistakable “word” or insight from The Lord.  (I will sit at breakfast this morning with another one-  He’s wants to “talk”)  It always amazes them when it happens.  It’s a reminder to me (hopefully us) that when you peel away many of the stresses, pressures, activities, responsibilities, and distractions that compete for our heart’s attention and affection, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit becomes louder, stronger and more recognizable.  It’s a discipline that must be repeated and recaptured often.  Fasting is one way to facilitate the possibility.  The result is the sweetest thing we could hope to hear and understand-  the voice of the Living God speaking into the human heart!!