29/5/20

Exodus 27, John 6, Proverbs 3, Galatians 2 

Jesus insists that the ultimate source of the "bread from heaven" wasn't manna or Moses but the one who came down from heaven himself, Christ.  Those who ate manna in the desert were only temporary filled, it never lasted, and due to the worlds fallen nature they died, manna didn't save them. But those who eat the ultimate bread from heaven will never die!

Jesus audience and Johns readers understand that other things die (meat, vegetables etc) so that we may live. Jesus gives his life so that we may live, either he faces the wrath of his father, or we do. 

28/5/20

Exodus 26, John 5, Proverbs 2, Galatians 1

Had to put additional research into this as I was quite confused. While Jesus is God, he is fully dependant on his Father "the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father is doing (5:19)". Jesus is a functional subordinate to God in the sense that Jesus does whatever the Father does. 

27/5/20

Exodus 25, John 4, Proverbs 1, 2 Corinthians 13

Exodus 25 and John 4 share a common theme. Exodus begins instructions for the construction of the tabernacle and instruments. John 4 finds Jesus talking to Samaritan woman about the proper place of worship. 2 Observations

However with the coming of Jesus as the new high priest, worship will no longer be tied to a single geographic location. 

Worship will not just be in spirit but in truth. Worship must not just be intentional or sincere but also it must line along with God's standards, Jesus.

25/5/20

Exodus 24, John 3, Job 42, 2 Corinthians 10

In middle eastern cultures, formally recognised covenants were a common practise between nations and communities to co-exist and depend one on another.  

To strengthen the allegiance of the covenant nation, not only did God disclose Himself with Moses and High Priest Aaron but also to the seventy elders. God is absolutely holy and so although He remains distant, this glorious and gracious display deepened allegiance with a special mediating role for Moses. 

24/5/20

Exodus 23, John 2, Job 41, 2 Corinthians 11

The Old Testament temple, the meeting place between Him and His covenant people pointed to the "ultimate meeting" place, the mediator Jesus. He would take this role by virtue of his death and resurrection, the temple would be destroyed and rebuilt.

22/5/20

Exodus 22, John 1, Job 40, 2 Corinthians 10

Exodus 22 talks about some laws. The sense of Justice needed to satisfy Old Testaments treatments of sin and transgression as well, ultimately preparing a way for an understanding of the cross as the sacrifice that meets the demands of Justice (Romans 3: 25-26). 

21/5/20

Exodus 21, Luke 24, Job 39, 2 Corinthians 9

Paul talks about cheerful giving. The giving of donations to help out missionary efforts was proof of God's work in them. I am reminded on what do I spend my money on? How does my spending glorify God and the saints?

19/5/20

 Exodus 20, Luke 23, Job 38, 2 Corinthians 8

God delivered the 10 Commandments in a terrifying display of power and intimidation. The fear of God isn't only the beginning of wisdom but also keeps people from sinning. God wants the Israelites to know that he had rescued them; he also wants them to know that he isn't some sort of domesticated deity happily dispensing blessings like Oprah. He isn't only a good God, but terrifying and awesome. 

God is who He says He is, not what we think He is. The common belief in spirituality over religion is in its essence stating that you are your own God. God has given out His standards of what someone who loves Him behaves like. 

18/5/20

Exodus 19, Luke 22, Job 37, 2 Corinthians 7

The passover not only celebrated the release of the Israelites from bondage but also how that freedom was accomplished. The angel of death "passed over" the houses protected by sacrificial blood while those which were not suffered the loss of their firstborn son.

I've actually never thought of the last supper in this manner. When Jesus takes bread at a passover meal and says "this is my body given for you" (v19) and when he takes the cup and says, "this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you" (v22) we can read somewhat of an overtone from the old covenant ritual. The shedding of Jesus blood which was God's provided sacrifice averts His wrath. He Himself is the Passover Lamb and His death establishes a covenant with those He died for by releasing them from an eternal slavery to sin.

17/5/20

Exodus 18, Luke 21, Job 36, 2 Corinthians 6

This major administrative structure is being put into place among the covenant community without any word from God. Why is Jethro, a pagan from a pagan people who worships pagan Gods play such integral importance in the development of Israels social order? The sovereign goodness and provision of God is displayed in this propitious moment just as in the parting of the Red Sea.

Jethro even came to a conclusion from looking at all the wonders Moses had achieved through this Monotheistic God. "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly" (18:11). He offered sacrifices to the living God v12.

14/5/20

Exodus 17, Luke 20, Job 35, 2 Corinthians 5

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 20 most commonly known as the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers. God was the vineyard owner, the tenant farmers were Israel, the servants rejected by the farmers were the prophets, and eventually God sends his "son" and the result is that the land and prosperity (God's blessing) that the owner provided are stripped from them and given to others.

God please help me to pull through today and honour my time with you. In both secular studies and prayer life. Amen

13/5/20

Exodus 16, Luke 20, Job 34, 2 Corinthians 4

The Israelites were just delivered after 4 centuries of slavery. They should have trusted in God but when their first trial comes round, they romanticised their slavery.  Why did they resort to this how we would view as seemingly petty behaviour? Just like many who claim to know Christ, they see God as existing to serve them. If their needs aren't met, they are very prepared to abandon him.

12/5/20

Exodus 15, Luke 18, Job 33, 2 Corinthians 3

I don't think I've ever put much thought into Luke 18:18-30. Jesus tells a wealthy man to sell his belongings and give it to the poor if he is to have treasure in heaven. I thought Jesus referred to a sacrificial lifestyle but in actuality it makes as just sense that Jesus told the rich man this not be charitable but rather as a result he may ever be so more dependant on God. If he strips away his self confidence, trusting and confiding in God, his treasure would be in heaven rather than on earth.  

9/5/20

Exodus 14, Luke 17, Job 32, 2 Corinthians 2

Regarding Exodus 14, God is determined that in His confrontation with Pharaoh, both the Israelites and Egyptians will know that He is Lord. God is glorious. All he ever does is seek His glory. He's a glorious God who continually seeks his glory for Himself and by Himself. And when Israelites witnessed the great power at work, they feared God and put their trust in Him and His servant Moses. 

Prayer:

Thank you that you have place reverence in my heart towards you, but please also in still a loving intimacy. Help me to love holiness and your Bride. 

7/5/20

Exodus 13, Luke 16, Job 31, 2 Corinthians 1

The unjust steward used his masters money to buy earthly friends; Christians  are to use their Masters money in a way that'll accumulate friends for eternity aka investing in the kingdom that brings sinners to salvation. Christ did not praise the stewards dishonesty but rather made a statement that even the most wicked are shrewd enough to provide themselves agains't coming evil. We who are saved ought to be more shrewd because we're concerned with eternal matters, not just earthly.

This makes me think, am I taking eternity as seriously as unbelievers take on their temporary lives????

6/5/20

Exodus 12:21-51, Luke 15, Job 30, 1 Corinthians 16

The blood on the doorpost didn't just signal the release of the Israelites from 400 years of slavery but also a new tradition that pointed towards their redeemer. This mentally ingrained in the Israelites mind that guilty people deserve death and the only way to be delivered from that sentence is if an innocent lamb dies. A millennium and a half later, Paul writes to the Corinthian Church that Jesus (our passover lamb) was sacrificed for us, inaugurating a new covenant (1 Corinthians 5:7, 11:25). This took place on the festival of the passover, as if this new covenant connects the old with that to which it points; the death of our saviour. As his blood was spilled for us, God passes over those who are secured by Jesus blood.

Lord, thank you that the ramifications of sin no longer lay hold me back from eternal fellowship of sin. Help me grow in appreciation and genuine love for what you are and what you did, what a high cost to pay!

5/5/20

Exodus 11:1-12:20; Luke 14, Job 29, 1 Corinthians 15

Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart agains't God, yet God always used Pharaohs heartedness in to display His glorious nature across the earth. God even warned Pharaoh, implicitly inviting repentance. God is the same in the Old Testament as He is in the New, He is always glorified. When crap hits the fan, the Egyptians want the Israelites to leave quickly making them favourable disposed towards God's people. 

4/5/20

Exodus 10, Luke 13, Job 28, 1 Corinthians 14

Some people die worse than others. When Jesus is asked whether these people deserved to die because they were bad people, he makes two truthful analysis.
1. All of us deserve to perish. If we're spared, that's an act of grace
2. Death is inevitable, it does not discriminate. The world sees it as a tragedy when people die young, but the real disaster is that many of them don't know God. It's too late for them to repent.

Lord help me to continue reaching to Mike, please let him to have an open mind.

3/5/20

Exodus 9, Luke 12, Job 27, 1 Corinthians 13

In Sydney culture that finds value on possessions whether material or mental (mostly speaking for myself), it's easy to get greedy. Just cause I don't hang around some people no more, doesn't mean expensive taste has left me. I have to watch out. I want to be a high school leader is to serve God but there's always been that underlying motivation in which I want to serve myself. I don't want to feel like a freeloader at Cheil, I want to contribute to something so at least I can feel some worth. I need to watch out. Luke 12:14 warns "be on guard again't all kinds of greed." What might start as a genuine commitment to serve God could degenerate into selfish competitiveness and acquisitiveness.

Oh God, help me compare myself to scripture, always. May I fight against complacency and be on guard for you and not myself.