The Post in Which I Catch Up 13 Days: Days 11-24/90

13 days.

That’s how many days I went without a computer (in the shop….) all the while lamenting how I needed to catch up my blog.

(when in reality, as of right this second, I’ve had my computer back for 3 days. ….)

That’s how many days I used a pen and paper to record my thoughts instead of the keyboard.

That’s how many days it took me to lose my ability to type, on an actual keyboard, instead of with my thumbs on a blackberry.

So I shall attempt what hasn’t been attempted before (at least not here…).

I will catch up on 13 days of blogging-about-what-I-read-in-the-Bible. In one post.

For the record, 13 days is a lot.

(this is an attempt at procrastination…..)

In my reading of the Bible, in chronological order, on a 90 day plan, 10 days covered:

Exodus 36-1 Samuel 12.

That’s 136 pages.

or

161 chapters.

or

just kidding. I won’t name verses or words. that would just be over the top, right?

So here goes:

Exodus

I learned that I’m glad I don’t live in Levitical times. I am glad I’m not a Levitical priest. Can you imagine the NASTY? ( okay, sorry. but I just couldn’t fathom the smell, the mess, the smell, the mess….) I learned that Moses was faithful. Very faithful.

Leviticus

I learned that the Lord means it when He says “I am the Lord”.  He says it 20 times in 2 chapters.  I learned that God made provision for the poor and marginalized a long time ago, and He never took that away. (Need to look into social justice a little more….it’s on my “later list”.)

Numbers

The Lord comes in cloud a LOT in the Bible. He directed them through the wilderness in a cloud. I think of that every time I see clouds now.  I learned that God gives everyone a gift and it’s up to us sometimes to look at people in our lives and ask them to use their gifts for His glory.  I learned that Numbers 6:24-26 is beautiful. I said EXACTLY to Numbers 11:14. I said WHOA to Numbers 15:39. I saw Jesus in Numbers 24:17.

Psalm 90

verse 17 hit me.–Do I do His work with my hands?

Deuteronomy

Lots of good stuff in this book, but mostly,  8:17-18 made me stop and think hard, all day long…..I need to be aware of thinking that any success (or “failure”) had ANYTHING to do with me or my abilities. All of it belongs to God.   In my journal, I wrote “Ummmm, HELLO?!?!?” next to Deut. 13:1-5.  it’s a looooong story. Someday.  In Chapter 14:22-26, I realized that this was such an interesting verse on tithing.  Need to study this more.  15:10-11,THIS is how we should treat the poor, the marginalized, the orphan, the widow.

 

Psalm 91

I marked 91:9.  —I need to constantly remind myself that HE is my refuge.

Joshua

He tells Joshua so so so many times in this book to NOT FEAR. NO FEAR. TRUST. NO FEAR.  In 11:20, “It was the Lord’s doing to harden their hearts”  I think that God is continually calling and pursuing us. When He leaves us alone, and stops, that is an intentional hardening of our hearts—giving us over to the true desire of THAT hardened heart, rather than the soft heart that is loved and created by God.   In 21:44-45 and 23:14,  I learned once again, He is always TRUE. And I wrote WOW next to 24:14.

(just sayin’ —this post, up to THIS point, has taken me almost 2 hours. seriously. my interruptions runneth over.)

Judges

1:28–interesting that we, as humans, tend to do to others what’s been done to us, instead of looking to God for the right way. Also,  I think I wrote about this last time? 6:13-24 It’s a great question, and a godly story.  And 7:15–recognizing the Hand and Work of the Lord, and worshiping immediately.   10:14—”Go to the gods you have chosen, let them save you”.  Who are MY gods, whom and/or what do I look to to save me?  11:34-35–I have always looked at this story as a sad one, but honestly, this time, I saw what a godly, faithful servant of God he was! And 12:5-6 is the funniest verses in the Bible, according to my 14yo son.  And is it just me or is God amazing, every time He makes a way out of no way?  (15:19)

 

Ruth

I didn’t mark anything in Ruth. Maybe it’s because every single verse would have been marked. What a beautiful picture of redemption and love.

 

( I will finish 1 Samuel before I recap. )

 

So there you have it. 13 days of the Bible, all in one. Like Clif-Notes. Or something like that.

What are YOU Learning?

If you are reading on the regular schedule, here are days:

12,  13,   14,  15, 16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24

Trust, Fires, Salt and Messiness…Day 11/90

(Today’s reading for the Chronological Bible in 90 days is Exodus 36-Leviticus 10. If you are reading the “regular” schedule, a SOAP for today is linked to the bottom of this post…)

My word for this year, the one I need to learn, and embed into my soul, is TRUST. Trust Jesus, trust my husband, trust my discernment, trust my actions and my words, but most of all, back to trust Jesus.

(My friend Junelle wrote about the concept HERE. Love that Girl.)

It’s funny when you pick a word when the word gets picked for you by none other than the One who gives you life and breath, how often and how much and how big and how deep that word becomes and shows up and just IS. I don’t know that I’d ever have seen TRUST buried so deeply in the story of Moses and Aaron before…

In Leviticus 2:13, I was reminded of a passage of scripture in the New Testament —

(Colossians 4:6) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

The offering in the OT to God is the same as our words and actions in the NT. We must season all we do and say with the Glory and Grace of God–otherwise it’s tasteless and pointless.

In Leviticus 5:17, I was reminded of a passage of scripture in James—

(James 4:17) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is a sin.

God’s Word comes full circle and is NEVER missing or void.

In Leviticus 6:13, I saw something I’d not seen before. I have a necklace and it says “Worship Always”….I know that everything I do , I show worship to something. And wearing that necklace reminds me to direct my worship toward the only One Who really matters.

Leviticus 6:13 says “Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.”

We always have a fire of worship going in our hearts, all our worship and praise and sacrifice and EVERYTHING is being offered to someone or something. But God should be the only reciepient of our altar offerings.

And finally, the one that got me this morning was this:

In Leviticus 8, it was very detailed in the clothing that Aaron wore, the burdens he had to bear for the sins of the people, and the mess that all this sin made. 

Detail after detail regarding his heavy clothing, the stones sewn into the clothing to represent the heaviness of sin, wearing a large hat to weigh down the head, pouring oil all down his head and beard, slaughtering bulls, rubbing the blood on his ears and toes, putting their insides in certain places on the altar, sprinkling blood on all the utensils and parts of the Tent, DAILY, every single day!, because of SIN. 

SIN IS MESSY.

I’m so glad Jesus came as my once-for-all sacrifice to take my sin.I’m so glad I’ve chosen to TRUST Him for this sacrifice.

What did you learn today?

(Today’s SOAP for B90Days)

An Empty Day 10/90

I don’t have time. I’ve completely run out of time for today’s b90days post. I’m reading chronologically through the Bible so today’s reading was Exodus 25-35. It’s good stuff, that.

I just don’t have time to elaborate. School, school and more school is calling me.

(Here’s the link to the regular SOAP for B90Days.)

Enjoy!

So Many Things….Day 9/60

WOW.

Who’d have thought that God would have SO MUCH TO SAY in Exodus and Leviticus! (certainly not me!)

I read the Bible 3 times last year, which means I read Exodus and Leviticus 3 times last year, and I’ve never heard from God like this week—I even went back to my journals and my blog posts to see if perhaps I’d forgotten something.

Nope.

Turns out, the Word IS alive, active, and just what I need for right now, right here in this season of life.

Here’s what I have written in my journal for today, day 9, where the reading was Exodus 13-24 (remember, I’m reading chronologically. For today’s SOAP on the regular schedule, see the bottom of this post…)

References with ** by them will be discussed.    As it happens,  I don’t have time this morning to discuss. I’ve marked this in my journal because I DO want to come back to some of these topics.

13:21-22 God NEVER departs (Trust, steadfastness)

14:13-14 No Fear, Stand Firm, See the Lord Work, The Lord does all the work–just be quiet, still and LISTEN

15:1-3,6-7,11-13 Glory Revealed Beautiful Song!

15:20-21  Praising with instruments (tambourines, lyres, drums) and dancing –very Biblical

16:29–further study on Sabbath

18:9-11, 14-24  wisdom of elders, outsiders, following good advice

20:7-11—study

Chapters 21-22— UNBELIEVEABLE how specific and almost petty the LORD has to be on some really, really common sense issues. (stealing, murder, employment, sexual relations…)

22:22-24 –caring for orphans…made me think of my friend Katie’s BLOG, and how they are working so hard at following God in their adoption journey

And then, at the end of all of this, I wrote:

God is precise.

God is awesome.

God is just.

Isn’t that remarkable? That in 10 chapters of an obscure, really, really old book of the Old Testament of the Bible, that He could teach me so much and open my heart that much wider to His truth?

It’s remarkable to me.

What did you learn today in God’s Word?

(Regular SOAP for B90Days)

In Slavery…Day 8/90

(I’m reading the Bible in 90 Days–chronologically. If you are looking for a SOAP on the “regular” schedule, it’s linked at the end of this post.)

I have an interesting “religious” background. And I’ve met a  lot of “religious” people. Every facet of religion you can imagine!

But this morning, while reading EXODUS 6, God showed me something I’d not noticed before.

Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen  to Moses, because of their broken spirit, and harsh slavery.

As Christians, sometimes we do and say things that may affect people differently than we think it will or should.

Or we do and say things, thinking that we can change  a whole group of people, without noticing what that particular group has been through and is coming out of.

When speaking to a group of enslaved, broken people, I don’t know that Moses had the foresight to see that maybe, just maybe, they weren’t ready to get their hearts and backs broken one more time.

Thankfully, he worked for a God who could see this, and promised a land of plenty to those who would endure. 

When I address a group of women who have just come out of spiritual bondage (through religion, marriage, abuse, etc…) I have to make sure to remind MYSELF I’m talking to people who just aren’t ready to have MORE promises made and failed.

We, as a church, need to address the question of “the broken spirit, and harsh slavery” when spreading the joy of the gospel to others.

Were they in slavery…to a list of rules, a set of requirements? (If so, don’t bring a new list of rules–show them freedom in Jesus!)

Are thier spirits broken…from abuse, neglect, poverty, circumstances? (If so, don’t break them further–show them healing in the Hands of the Healer!)

This was amazing to ponder on this morning–as I remembered how my own spirit came to Jesus, broken and bruised and bent from slavery and “lists”, but He is the Healer, and He heals even the deepest wounds….as my friend Junelle reminded me this morning. He will take the bruises and the bent-over-shoulders and the mind-tricks and the __________________and He will heal. But as a church, we’ve got to let Him!

(DAY 8 BIBLE IN 90 DAYS SOAP)

Ever-Present Help…Day 7/90

(I’m reading chronologically through the Bible in 90 Days—link to a SOAP for the regular schedule is at the bottom of this post…)

God shows Himself so powerfully as THE EVER-PRESENT HELP in today’s reading…(Genesis 38-50)

He was with Joseph in his kidnapping,

his first position in the kingdom of Pharoah,

his prison term,

his interpretation of Pharoah’s dreams,

and at last— in Joseph’s stint as 2nd in charge!

What I appreciated in this passage of Scripture, though, was not just knowing of God’s ever-present help, but that Joseph acknowleged it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

He never took the credit for anything that went well–the glory always went to God.

Understanding God’s help and grace is important. But recognizing it aloud and thanking Him for it every time are essential to living a life filled with gratitude.

Lord, help me to see Your Hand in everything today, and to praise You for it.

(Bible in 90 days “regular” SOAP here…)

What did YOU learn today?

Generous…Day 6/90

(I’m reading chronologically through the Bible in 90 Days. Link to a SOAP for the “regular” schedule at the end of this post…)

Genesis 33:11—Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. Thus he urged him, and he took it.

There were several things that God highlighted in my Bible reading this morning, but I’m choosing to write quickly about this one.

Why quickly?

Because it’s Saturday, and life happens FAST around here on Saturday.

Am I generous? Do I believe that God has been so generous with me, that I can freely give to others of what He has given?

My time?

My skills?

My joy?

My needs?*

My money?

My love?

My hope?

My Jesus?

How can I be more generous today? How can you?

(today’s Bible in 90 Days “regular” reading here…)

*This might seem like it doesn’t belong on this list. But it does. Sharing your needs with others allows them to be generous to YOU.

We can never praise Him enough…Day 5/90

(Today’s SOAP reading in the Bible for 90 days REGULAR format is linked below…I am doing a Chronological 90 Day reading.)

 

Once again, Sarah Young, author of my favorite one of my favorite devotionals, Jesus Calling, really hit home today….

And since I don’t believe in coincidences, God ordained my reading today in His Word to coincide with what Sarah wrote in her devotional, and the outcome was spectacular (for me!)

The devotional is written in first person, as though Jesus were talking to ME. This is January 7th–

You can never praise Me enough. …..When you thank Me for the many pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from Whom all blessings flow. When adversity strikes, and you thank Me anyway, your trust in My sovereignty is a showpiece in the invisible realms. Fill all your spare moments with praise and thanksgiving. This joyous discipline will help you live in the intimacy of My presence. (Psalm 22:3, Psalm 146:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar calls God “The God Who Sees”.  Yup, she’s right. He sees it all. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And He knows it all, and loves us anyway.  He seeks us when we don’t seek Him, even as we run from Him! PRAISE HIM!

In Genesis 18:14, He asks Sarai and Abram, “Is anything too hard for The Lord?”–and if we considered praising Him in our adversities instead of questioning His ability to overcome the situation, I’m guessing most of us would be a lot more at peace in life…PRAISE HIM!

In Genesis 22:8, 14, Abraham says the Lord will Provide, and then He does. What a great way to praise the God of the universe! By trusting in Him to provide the outcome, whatever it might be, and knowing that He isn’t here to harm but to love. PRAISE HIM!

In Genesis 24:26 Abraham’s servant went out on the biggest errand of his life–looking for a wife for Isaac–and believed Abraham when he told him that God would go ahead of him and provide. So when God comes through–like He always does–the servant immediately bowed his head and worshipped the Lord–this is essential to living a life of praise! We must always be willing to recognize the provision and providence of God over ALL Things, even things we don’t think He cares about. The more we recognize His Hand, the better we become at praising Him for it!–PRAISE HIM!

And finally, in Genesis 26, when Isaac is lying to the King about who his wife really is, he temporarily forgot Who the Lord is and what He can do–

NOTHING is too hard for the Lord, He will provide and in acknowleging that, we WORSHIP HIM!–PRAISE HIM!

What did YOU learn today??

(BIBLE IN 90 DAYS : DAY 5)

I can’t change God…Day 4/90

Turns out, no matter what  I do or don’t do, no matter what I say or don’t say, no matter how hard I try or don’t try, I can’t change God.

Isn’t that GOOD to know?

Because, it seems, we spend our whole lives doing and saying and thinking and trying to please someone.

Usually our parents, or siblings, or friends, or whomever….but mostly, we spend it thinking we’ve pleased God, or we’ve downright ticked Him off. (This is where most “Christians” get off track…we work and work and work and pretty soon, we’re working our way to heaven. Turns out, this isn’t possible either!)

Turns out, what we think doesn’t matter.

Job 35:6-7 tells me: “If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what does it do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?”

This is particularly timely for me, because I know someone who is struggling with his relationship with God. He views it more like an angry parent/child than Loving Father/saved sinner.

I walked away from my reading today (chronological 90 day plan–Job 35-42, Genesis 12-15) with a renewed sense of hope in Jesus and His finished work on the Cross.

Because I can’t change Him.

He is forever the same.

I can’t change Him with or without my actions.

But I can change my standing before Him with or without my actions.

I can either be praise-filled in His presence or I can be shame-filled in His presence.

 It’s entirely my choice, and I don’t change God one single bit either way.

My choice? Shut up and listen to God.

Job 40:4

Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth.

 

He is the Almighty, the All-Knowing, and the King of Kings.

It’s okay to ask and question and pester and ask some more.

But my actions will not change God. My actions only serve to drive me to worship before Him or hang my head in shame before Him. It’s my choice.

(today’s Bible in 90 Days “regular ” reading SOAP)

What did YOU learn today?

Love and Seek His Words (and quit looking back!) day 3/90

(reminder–I am reading chronologically through the Bible in 90 Days—the link to the regular reading is at the bottom of this post)

God tells me in Job 22:21-22 to agree with God, to long for Him, to look and love His words, and I will be at peace with Him.

What more clear instruction could there be? Why do we (I) continually make it so difficult! It’s not. It’s simple. Not easy. But simple.

ALSO….

Quit looking back! Job spends 2 entire chapters (29 & 30) looking back at the grass on the other side of the fence—the stuff he USED to have, the life he USED to live, the blessings God gave him before–instead of trying to find the silver lining, the joy in suffering.

  I do this a lot.

We moved to our current city because of job/house/income/”life” loss. We had a great job, a nice house, great property, wonderful friends, and when the tablecloth came out from under us, it shook our core. We placed too much on the grass on the other side of the fence. We often still talk about  “our house in Illinois.” or “friends in Illinois.” I’ve started (over the past 6 months) really noticing it and as I’ve stopped “going there”, I’ve noticed the family heading in that direction as well. Praise the Lord that we’ve all started understanding what was and is really important.

It is interesting to me that so often I’ve looked at Job as the epitome of what I should be when suffering or enduring hardship….and here he is, doing EXACTLY what I do. Perhaps looking at the Only One who suffered well would serve me better…..

So I need to quit look BACK at anything, and look forward to what lies ahead–and to the One who suffered so well in front of me. I need to search Him out, love His Words, and be at peace with Him.

He is the One in whom I trust.

What did YOU learn today reading?

(Day 3, Bible in 90 Days)