February 1

Today’s Reading - Exodus 14-17

(Exo 14:13 KJV) And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which reveals something that we as Christians are afraid to do. Do you know what that is? “STAND STILL” I am as guilty of this as anyone. Many times we are in a situation and we feel we must do something, but God may be setting up a circumstance in our life and we stick our noses in and we regress instead of progressing. The Israelites were in a very dire circumstance, facing the Red Sea on one end and the advancing Egyptian army behind them. Where were they to go? How would they escape? They were looking at the circumstances they were in and literally forgetting what took place in Egypt to facilitate their freedom. They quickly forgot about all the great miracles God did which decimated the nation of Egypt on their behalf. I guess they did this out of fear, for many times a situation crops up in our life too and we forget how God dealt with these situations in the past. There are times when we find ourselves in situations where we can do nothing on our own and it is at those times that we must stand still. In other words, the Israelites found out, they needed to trust God at the most crucial moment in their flight from Egypt. They could not fight for they had no chariots, swords, or spears. This was a spiritual battle being fought in the heavenlies. Israel represented God’s chosen people and they were about to be slaughtered by Satan’s people. The Israelites could do nothing except stand still, wait, and watch for God to deliver them. After God delivered them across the Red Sea, they never saw the face of Pharaoh again. Spiritually speaking they were delivered from the kingdom of Satan. As Christians, when God delivers us we will never see the kingdom of Satan again. He no longer has any authority over us. That great crossing of the Red Sea is a picture of all the believers going into Heaven on the last day and never seeing Satan nor any of his people again. The ten plagues on Egypt reminds us of the spiritual battles we must face until we get to the bank of the Red Sea and cross. However, when we leave the spiritual battles to God, there will be victory. If we try to fight the spiritual with the physical, it will be like Moses trying to free the Israelites by his own method, of killing the Egyptian. The spiritual battle belongs to the Lord and all He asks is that we, “Stand Still.”

February 2

Today’s Reading - Exodus 18-20

(Exo 20:25 KJV) And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which teaches us how God desires to protect his children from Spiritual fornication. The Israelites have just recently come out of Egypt and there was still 430 years of association with idolatry and false religions in them. Here God is commanding them that when they erect an altar, it must be done with plain stone, untouched by any craftsman’s tools. Now this seems like a strange command. It is actually a command to prevent His newly freed people from going into idolatry. Whenever you look at an ancient altar where idolatrous practices took place, you will see that the altar was made of crafted metal, wood, or whatever. These specially hewed altars were made to appease a false god. With the Israelites in Egypt for 430 years, they might unintentionally make an altar to God fashioned after the idolatrous methods of the Egyptians. If the Israelites worshipped God on anything that even resembled an altar to a false god, their sacrifice and worship were polluted. This also reveals a works gospel too. If a person hews stone, then they are performing a work. The altar that God wants was made of stones which He created without the addition of one chisel point of man. This gives us a little insight into salvation, in that Christ was the stone that the builders rejected, yet He became head of the corner (Matt. 21:42) It was Christ who was the author and is the finisher of our salvation, without any additions or works by man. Salvation is totally of God and this is what the prefigurement of a plain, untouched altar represented. This also shows us that when we proclaim the gospel, there are to be no additives to it such as man’s ideas or schemes. We cannot manipulate anyone into Heaven. Our responsibility is to just preach the “non-hewed stones of the gospel,” and leave the results to God. If we make just one chisel point in the truth, then we will be found propagating a polluted gospel. This is how God protects us from spiritual fornication too, by keeping us in the confines of Scripture.

February 3

Today’s Reading - Exodus 21-24

(Exo 23:2 KJV) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

In today’s reading we come across this verse which basically tells us how out of step the Christian is to be concerning the ways of the world. When we look at this verse, we see it is a direct command that we are not to follow the majority in this world. We could see this as mob mentality. We have heard it before. Everybody is doing it, why can’t I? I am sure parents have heard it also. God is showing us that the mob mentality is not always right. There may be times when people band together to do good but the majority of the times, it is evil. God has set specific parameters for His children and to violate these would be sin. When God saved us, He didn’t save the majority on this planet which means the Christian is in a minority in this world. There are not as many Christians as there are Hindus, Muslims, Roman Catholics, etc. We are known in Scripture as the Remnant. The majority in the world sees things from an unsaved perspective. The Christian is to view things from God’s point of view and then we are to make judgments as to whether we can join a majority in a certain thing. God does not expect His children to look to majority rule as a precedent for right or wrong. Whatever cause we support, we must weigh it up against Scripture. God made this warning and then a little while later, when Moses took a long time to come off the mountain, the majority was stirring up the people and they finally built a golden calf. During the forty year trek through the wilderness, they became disobedient many different times until God finally had to prevent all the original people freed from Egypt, except two, Joshua and Caleb, to enter the promised land. Disobedience is disbelief, no matter how you gauge it. The next time a majority approves something, God may disapprove, and it is up to us to stay obedient to the Lord.

February 4

Today’s Reading - Exodus 25-27

(Exo 26:31 KJV) And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

In today’s reading we come across this verse along with many more like it in the three chapters. We see that God is giving plans for the construction of the Tabernacle, in which was going to be the place that He met with His people and gave them direction for their forty year journey. Today I don’t want to look into the theological reasoning of the tabernacle but rather the elements used in its construction. God used Ram skins and Badger skins for the covering of the Tabernacle. When we look at the other elements God used we find Silver, Gold, and Shittim Wood. God also used some of the most beautiful colors He ever created in the interior of the Tabernacle. The outside of the tabernacle was a bland color but when one went inside, it was a different world. It is like the Lord Jesus. Those who see Him from the outside, see a bland, boring individual but those on the inside, His redeemed, see a Great God who has redeemed His own inheritance through His own blood and has given us every spiritual blessing. We see Christ in a different light than the world does. A person really cannot see the beauty in a sunset or sunrise unless you really know the creator of it. God is not cheap with His creation either. Who would have thought of an abundant blue sky which is very easy on the eyes. Or did you ever look at a blue sky through a green tree in summer? God has created this world and universe with such diverse and beautiful colors. Even out of Noah’s flood we see some of the most beautiful formations in the world. Have you ever visited Bryce Canyon in Utah or the Grand Canyon in Arizona? There is so much beauty in God’s creation, let us not be such long faced Christians, that we can’t enjoy what God has given us temporarily. As a matter of fact as I am writing this, a beautiful sunset is about to emerge. Let us look at the beauty of this creation as a pre-cursor to the New Heavens and the New Earth.

February 5

Today’s Reading - Exodus 28 -31

(Exo 31:2-3 KJV) See, I have called by name Bezaleel 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, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

In today’s reading we come across these verses which should prompt every Christian to do some introspection on what talents God gave them. The name Bezaleel means “in the shadow of God.” Bezaleel was given the talent of craftsman and was commissioned to build not only the furniture in the Tabernacle but also the Ark of the Covenant. God tells us that He placed these talents within Bezaleel. Now as you read this, what talent has God placed within you? Whenever we think of Christianity, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Probably Preachers and Teachers! Let us examine a radio preacher. First of all he prepares his lessons. Then he goes to the Christian radio station. Now before he can go on the air a few things must take place. He must do a microphone check, the transmitter must be functioning, etc. You see if it wasn’t for the technicians at the radio station, the preacher could not go on the air. Those who help that preacher go on the air, are partakers of his ministry but each has been gifted in a different manner. What about the Christian who does transcripts of programs? For those who don’t have a radio, they can get the message by the written word. God has placed talents in every Christian and when spiritual gifts are added to those talents, it is like they are given a boost. You may think your talent is insignificant but God gave it to you for a reason and you must seek that reason out. There is much dormant talent in the Christian community which needs to be resurrected. If we worked as hard for the Lord as we do for our bosses, then Christianity would be a mighty force in this world.

February 6

Today’s Reading - Exodus 32-34

(Exo 32:1 KJV) And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

In today’s reading we start out with this verse which shows how people try to take matters into their own hands. Moses went up to the mountain to receive the commandments from God. However, this was also a testing program for the Israelites as to whether they would remain faithful during a period of waiting. If there is one thing that we can glean from Scripture, it is that God is in no hurry to do anything. Remember, how Jesus went to Bethany after the death of Lazarus, instead of before. We know that all He had to do was to speak the words for Lazarus to become well because distance has no effect upon the commands of God. Here the Israelites, who have witnessed miracle after miracle by God to secure their freedom are once again questioning God. They suffered from something we all suffer from today, and that is impulsiveness. We feel that God must work in our timing, instead of us working in His timing. If something seems to be taking a while to do, we may think that God does not have the situation in control, so in our impetuousness, we think we can help God along with our situation. When we look at what the Israelites did in lieu of waiting on the Lord, we wonder how this could happen. They were eyewitnesses of how the true God defeated all the false gods of Egypt and delivered them. Yet there is one principle which is alive today and that is “sin creates a short memory.” When I was drinking and woke up with a hangover on Saturday morning, I swore I would never drink again. Then Saturday night came and guess where I was. Sin gives us a short memory. The Israelites felt they could not wait for God’s timing so they created a golden calf and danced the pagan dances. Many times in our lives too, we do not want to wait on the Lord and we go to the world systems to try and solve our problems. This world gives us instant solutions and all we have to do is bow the knee to its institutions. Let us have heart that God’s timing is always perfect and the only reason we don’t think it is, is because we are not assessing the situation correctly. The Israelites did not assess the situation correctly by believing that God may have abandoned them. Their weakness was their reluctance to wait, let it not be ours. God does not abandon His own. (Psa 25:5 KJV) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

February 7

Today’s Reading - Exodus 35-37

(Exo 36:7 KJV) For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which teaches us a mighty lesson in rendering unto God, the things that are God’s. When the call went out for the building of the Tabernacle, the people, who had a stirred and willing heart brought anything and everything they could for the physical construction of the Tabernacle. The people brought earrings, plates, wood, gem stones, oil and incense. These were the things which they plundered from Egypt. Now let us look at a principle here, which helps us understand a misunderstood passage. (Mat 19:21 KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Here Jesus is telling the rich man that if he is have treasure in Heaven, he should sell everything and give to the poor. Does this mean that he should get rid of everything and give it to the poor, and then have nothing for himself? The answer is no! When a person becomes saved, each one has different worldly goods and instead of giving them away, they can now be used for the Kingdom of God. Jesus is advocating an entirely new attitude toward worldly goods and talents. The rich man obviously had the ability to make money, which means he would have been financially adept. Instead of rich people being slammed from the Pulpit all the time, the church leaders should know who they are and when the position of Business Manager or Treasurer opens, up they might be the ones whom the Lord has groomed to take those positions. This would free up the Pastor and Elders to do the spiritual work. This does not only apply to large churches either. Those in the camp of the Israelites sent everything they could until Moses finally had to send the word that enough was given for the construction of the Tabernacle. There were women who came and sewed the linens and fabric portion of the Tabernacle and the men came and did the construction. The rulers were involved in bringing spices and oils. This means everyone from the Rulers on down were involved in bringing the materials to build the Tabernacle. Let us see how we can apply this principle of the willful spirit to today. And God sent for all of a willful spirit and then came the teachers, Sunday School teachers, those who knew plumbing, nursery workers, those skilled with finances, preaching, carpentry, electric, mixing cement, website designers, radio and TV technicians, janitors, maintenance, drivers, writers, bakers, those who know sign language and foreign languages, givers, firemen, police, and these all came with a willing heart to build the Tabernacle of God’s Kingdom. But unfortunately it was not sufficient enough for many have not come forward. He who has ears to hear!

February 8

Today’s Reading - Exodus 38-40

(Exo 40:13 KJV) And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

In today’s reading we come across this verse which is a prophecy of what God was going to do through every believer. While the office of High Priest belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, the office of Priest belongs to every redeemed believer. God said that He was going to make us a nation of Kings and Priests (Rev. 1:6) and a royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). When a person becomes saved, God makes us holy through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus. We, in essence are clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. (Isa 61:10 KJV) I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Every believer has also been sanctified by God. The word “sanctify” and the word “holy” have the same root word. God sets us apart for His Kingdom and His work. The word “anoint” in our verse is the Hebrew word “Mashach” which is the underlying word for the word “Messiah.” The word can be used for smearing or pouring, as one is anointed for the office of High Priest through the pouring on of oil. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is typified by Oil. When a person becomes saved they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, which was pre-figured by the pouring on of oil. Whenever we look in the Old Testament, we can see so many beautiful spiritual foreshadows of what God has planned for His children. Isn’t it a wonderful thing that God performs the entire act of salvation, from beginning to end, and we need not do anything. For how could a dead sinner, do all that God has done, for themselves. Dispersed throughout the Old Testament are magnificent pictures of God’s salvation plan. Rejoice Christian for if the trump sounds today, you are ready.

February 9

Today’s Reading - Leviticus 1-4

(Lev 1:8 KJV) And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: