The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 11-12
SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 15:37-39 (ESV); And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of
the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him,
saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Our journey of growing into enjoying the presence of God can be beautifully illustrated by the
Old Testament Tabernacle. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the sinner would enter the
outer court where he would offer a blood sacrifice on the brazen alter and wash himself in the
laver that stood near it. Then through a veil he passed into the holy place where no natural
light could come, except for the golden candlestick representing Jesus, the Light of the World,
which threw its soft glow over all. There was also the table of shewbread to tell of Jesus, the
Bread of life, and the altar of incense, a figure of unceasing prayer. Yet there was another veil
that separated the worshipper from the Holy of Holies, where above the mercy seat dwelt the
God Himself in awful and glorious manifestation. Only the high priest could enter there once
a year, with blood which he offered for his sins and the sins of the people. It was this last veil
which was torn in two when Christ died on Calvary. This opened the way for every worshipper
to come into the divine presence of God. God wills that we should enter into His Presence
and live our lives there. This is more than doctrine to be learned, it’s a relationship to be
enjoyed every moment of every day! The greatest thing about the Old Testament Tabernacle
was that God was present there, waiting behind that veil. Similarly, the presence of God is
central to Christianity. At the heart of the Christian message is God Himself, waiting for His
redeemed children to become aware of His Presence. He waits to show Himself in ravishing
fullness to the humble of soul and pure in heart who dare to seek Him.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Thank the Lord that He has made a way for us to enter into His Presence, that He has
designed it that we can have a relationship with Him every day.
2. Pray that as His child, you will become aware of His Presence, that you will find Him in
all parts of your day, that you will enter into His Presence and live your life there.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Foundations September 7, 2011
The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 9-10
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Corinthians 10:31b (ESV); whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, completed in 1647, states that the chief end of man is to
glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. (Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.
4:11; Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4). God formed us for His
pleasure and made us so that we can have divine communion with Him. If there is a problem
with our relationship with God the perpetrator is us, not Him. We are the ones who are broken;
we are the ones who are guilty of rebellion and sin. We are the ones who have disobeyed or
ceased to love Him and in guilt and fear have fled as far as possible from His presence. God
requires that our sin be dealt with and He has provided a way for this through Jesus. This point
must be reiterated – God made the way for our salvation. He brings us back into right relationship
with Himself because Jesus offering was acceptable to God. Although our sin closes the door to
relationship with God, Christ’s sacrifice makes a way for us to return to communion with God and
to live again in His presence. It is up to us to decide if we want to know the God of this great love.
Frederick Faber made that decision; His love for God was so intense he writes of God: “Only to
sit and think of God, O what a joy it is! To think the thought, to breathe the Name, earth has no
higher bliss. Father of Jesus, love’s reward! What rapture will it be, prostrate before thy throne
to lie, and gaze and gaze on thee!” This goes well beyond a theological knowledge of God; it is
knowing Him, knowing that that He is so vastly wonderful, so utterly and completely delightful, it’s
being in His Holy Presence and gazing upon Him.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Pray that you would learn how to live your life in such a way that you are bringing glory to
God. Pray that this would be the goal that would motivate all that you do. Pray that you
would learn to gaze on Him and know how utterly and completely delightful being in His
Presence is.
2. Ask the Lord to show you any areas of brokenness or any areas of rebellion or sin that
is keeping you from knowing Him in this way. Ask the Lord if you need to make a prayer
counselling appointment to work through this or maybe go to an Encounter?
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Corinthians 10:31b (ESV); whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, completed in 1647, states that the chief end of man is to
glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. (Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev.
4:11; Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4). God formed us for His
pleasure and made us so that we can have divine communion with Him. If there is a problem
with our relationship with God the perpetrator is us, not Him. We are the ones who are broken;
we are the ones who are guilty of rebellion and sin. We are the ones who have disobeyed or
ceased to love Him and in guilt and fear have fled as far as possible from His presence. God
requires that our sin be dealt with and He has provided a way for this through Jesus. This point
must be reiterated – God made the way for our salvation. He brings us back into right relationship
with Himself because Jesus offering was acceptable to God. Although our sin closes the door to
relationship with God, Christ’s sacrifice makes a way for us to return to communion with God and
to live again in His presence. It is up to us to decide if we want to know the God of this great love.
Frederick Faber made that decision; His love for God was so intense he writes of God: “Only to
sit and think of God, O what a joy it is! To think the thought, to breathe the Name, earth has no
higher bliss. Father of Jesus, love’s reward! What rapture will it be, prostrate before thy throne
to lie, and gaze and gaze on thee!” This goes well beyond a theological knowledge of God; it is
knowing Him, knowing that that He is so vastly wonderful, so utterly and completely delightful, it’s
being in His Holy Presence and gazing upon Him.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Pray that you would learn how to live your life in such a way that you are bringing glory to
God. Pray that this would be the goal that would motivate all that you do. Pray that you
would learn to gaze on Him and know how utterly and completely delightful being in His
Presence is.
2. Ask the Lord to show you any areas of brokenness or any areas of rebellion or sin that
is keeping you from knowing Him in this way. Ask the Lord if you need to make a prayer
counselling appointment to work through this or maybe go to an Encounter?
Monday, September 5, 2011
Foundations September 6, 2011
The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 7-8
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV); Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When we read this verse we often think that those who are laying up treasures on earth are
those who are pursuing getting rich. It’s very easy for those who are in the lower socio-economic
levels to assume that because they aren’t rich this verse doesn’t apply to them. They couldn’t
be more wrong for earthly treasures come in various forms and those storing them up come
from all income levels. For many people treasures can be relationships, loved ones and friends.
The mom who endlessly worries about the safety of her child has not given that child over to the
Lord. Treasures can also be gifts and talents which need to be given over to the Lord. Are you
keeping your talents to yourself or using them to serve God, the One who gave you the talent?
Or, are you taking credit for your gift and talent instead of giving God the credit as the one who
made you and has given this gift to you? We can take no credit for our gifts and talents just like
we can’t take credit for our eye colour! If you take a moment and look into your own heart even
a little bit, you will find some treasure that you must submit before the Lord. Do you desire God
enough to take a look? Are you strong enough to see what is inside your heart? Are you willing
to do something about it when God shows it to you? It’s time to stop making excuses and to trust
the Lord; that we can truly give him Lordship over all areas of our lives.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the treasures that you must submit before the Lord. Is it
talent, a ministry gift, a relationship, a loved one or a friend or something else?
2. Pray that you would be strong enough for God to show you what is in your heart then submit
this area to God. Ask the Lord to keep showing you the things that are getting in the way of
your relationship with Him. Pray that you would respond with an obedient and joyful heart.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV); Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When we read this verse we often think that those who are laying up treasures on earth are
those who are pursuing getting rich. It’s very easy for those who are in the lower socio-economic
levels to assume that because they aren’t rich this verse doesn’t apply to them. They couldn’t
be more wrong for earthly treasures come in various forms and those storing them up come
from all income levels. For many people treasures can be relationships, loved ones and friends.
The mom who endlessly worries about the safety of her child has not given that child over to the
Lord. Treasures can also be gifts and talents which need to be given over to the Lord. Are you
keeping your talents to yourself or using them to serve God, the One who gave you the talent?
Or, are you taking credit for your gift and talent instead of giving God the credit as the one who
made you and has given this gift to you? We can take no credit for our gifts and talents just like
we can’t take credit for our eye colour! If you take a moment and look into your own heart even
a little bit, you will find some treasure that you must submit before the Lord. Do you desire God
enough to take a look? Are you strong enough to see what is inside your heart? Are you willing
to do something about it when God shows it to you? It’s time to stop making excuses and to trust
the Lord; that we can truly give him Lordship over all areas of our lives.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the treasures that you must submit before the Lord. Is it
talent, a ministry gift, a relationship, a loved one or a friend or something else?
2. Pray that you would be strong enough for God to show you what is in your heart then submit
this area to God. Ask the Lord to keep showing you the things that are getting in the way of
your relationship with Him. Pray that you would respond with an obedient and joyful heart.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Foundations September 5, 2011
The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 5-6
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 5:3 (ESV); Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Yesterday we talked about simplifying our lives so that God can become our treasure. It is important
to note that God created a world full of things for us to enjoy but these things were never meant to
become the centre of our lives and they were never meant to replace God as the centre of our lives.
Unfortunately, sin has complicated the world and the things that God has given us to enjoy have
often become a source of ruin to man’s soul. Have you ever noticed that no one has to teach a
toddler to be selfish? The words “MINE” come quite naturally to young children as they snatch toys
away from siblings and friends. Jesus taught His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt 16:24-25). What does it mean for you
to deny self? In pursuing God the path to deeper knowledge of God will require denying your “self”
or denying your flesh. This is one of the characteristics of those who are poor in spirit. These are
the people who are not slaves to the “things” in their lives but rather have become slaves of Christ
(1 Cor. 7:22). This should make you feel a bit uncomfortable for this is not something that you can
merely believe as doctrine; this requires a lifelong pursuit of denying yourself which is taken one
step at a time. It requires that we listen to God and obey Him each step of the way. If we refuse to
take the next step then our entire journey in pursuing God comes to a halt. Pursuing God is not for
the faint of heart.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to reveal to you which “things” in your life you have become a slave to. Then ask the
Lord for a strategy in dying to yourself in these areas. Ask Him for a practical step that you can
take to move past this hindrance.
2. Pray that you would be willing to obey Matt 16:24-25, that you would grow in denying yourself
and following Him. Ask God to show you what this means for you today. Pray that you will
obey what God is showing you.
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 5:3 (ESV); Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Yesterday we talked about simplifying our lives so that God can become our treasure. It is important
to note that God created a world full of things for us to enjoy but these things were never meant to
become the centre of our lives and they were never meant to replace God as the centre of our lives.
Unfortunately, sin has complicated the world and the things that God has given us to enjoy have
often become a source of ruin to man’s soul. Have you ever noticed that no one has to teach a
toddler to be selfish? The words “MINE” come quite naturally to young children as they snatch toys
away from siblings and friends. Jesus taught His disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him
deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt 16:24-25). What does it mean for you
to deny self? In pursuing God the path to deeper knowledge of God will require denying your “self”
or denying your flesh. This is one of the characteristics of those who are poor in spirit. These are
the people who are not slaves to the “things” in their lives but rather have become slaves of Christ
(1 Cor. 7:22). This should make you feel a bit uncomfortable for this is not something that you can
merely believe as doctrine; this requires a lifelong pursuit of denying yourself which is taken one
step at a time. It requires that we listen to God and obey Him each step of the way. If we refuse to
take the next step then our entire journey in pursuing God comes to a halt. Pursuing God is not for
the faint of heart.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to reveal to you which “things” in your life you have become a slave to. Then ask the
Lord for a strategy in dying to yourself in these areas. Ask Him for a practical step that you can
take to move past this hindrance.
2. Pray that you would be willing to obey Matt 16:24-25, that you would grow in denying yourself
and following Him. Ask God to show you what this means for you today. Pray that you will
obey what God is showing you.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Foundations September 4, 2011
SCRIPTURE READING
Numbers 18:20 (ESV); You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any
portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.
One of the biggest things that distract people from pursuing God is all the religious externals
that we fill our lives with. We can be so busy doing ministry and serving the Lord that we forget
about the Lord. Who are we trying to impress anyway? For others, the main distraction can be
the pursuit of career or wealth. We have payments to make for purchases that we didn’t really
need in the first place. Yes, you need shelter, food and clothing but think about all the things in
your house, garage or shed that you really don’t need. Many of us have convinced ourselves
that the extras are the essentials and therefore we are distracted with the cares of the world and
the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:22). It would do us a lot of good if we would just simplify our
lives. There is little that we actually need other than God Himself. Some of us are scared that
if we simplify our lives we will miss out in life but the opposite is actually true. A. W. Tozer writes
“The person who has God as their treasure has all things in One”. In the Old Testament, when
God was dividing up the Land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, God gave the Levites no
share of the land. This brings us to our verse today; God told Aaron “I am your portion and your
inheritance”. These words made Aaron the richest man on earth.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. In what ways have you been pursuing career or wealth over pursuing God?
2. Do you believe deep down in your heart that God is enough? Do you believe that giving
up worldly things and finding God will truly satisfy you? Spend some time listening to God
in this area. Let Him reveal things to you, listen in prayer asking God to give you a word,
thought or picture about this.
3. Pray that like Aaron, God will be your inheritance and that you will find that this is enough,
for He satisfies!
Numbers 18:20 (ESV); You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any
portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.
One of the biggest things that distract people from pursuing God is all the religious externals
that we fill our lives with. We can be so busy doing ministry and serving the Lord that we forget
about the Lord. Who are we trying to impress anyway? For others, the main distraction can be
the pursuit of career or wealth. We have payments to make for purchases that we didn’t really
need in the first place. Yes, you need shelter, food and clothing but think about all the things in
your house, garage or shed that you really don’t need. Many of us have convinced ourselves
that the extras are the essentials and therefore we are distracted with the cares of the world and
the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:22). It would do us a lot of good if we would just simplify our
lives. There is little that we actually need other than God Himself. Some of us are scared that
if we simplify our lives we will miss out in life but the opposite is actually true. A. W. Tozer writes
“The person who has God as their treasure has all things in One”. In the Old Testament, when
God was dividing up the Land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel, God gave the Levites no
share of the land. This brings us to our verse today; God told Aaron “I am your portion and your
inheritance”. These words made Aaron the richest man on earth.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. In what ways have you been pursuing career or wealth over pursuing God?
2. Do you believe deep down in your heart that God is enough? Do you believe that giving
up worldly things and finding God will truly satisfy you? Spend some time listening to God
in this area. Let Him reveal things to you, listen in prayer asking God to give you a word,
thought or picture about this.
3. Pray that like Aaron, God will be your inheritance and that you will find that this is enough,
for He satisfies!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Foundations September 3, 2011
The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 3-4
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 42:1-2 (NIV); As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
David is an example of a person who sought after the Lord. The Psalms that he wrote are filled
with the cry of his heart to know God in a deep and profound way. In today’s verses David
compares our desire to hunger after God with a deer who is panting for water. Have you ever
been so overheated that you would do anything for a drink of water? So thirsty that you would
pay an exorbitant price for a bottle of water; you would even trade something valuable to just
have a drink? David writes “Where can I go and meet with God?” David thirsted so deeply for
God that He was eager to meet with God each day. God was his lifeline. Too often in today’s
culture, we centre our evangelism around the initial act of “accepting” Christ. Yet, there is more
to being a Christian than this, we must spend our lives pursuing God, worshipping Him with our
lives, seeking Him and when we find Him we must not be satisfied for we must know that we can
never truly know an infinite God – there is always more that He can reveal to us about Himself.
It’s an endless journey, until we see Him face to face. We must not be too easily satisfied in our
relationship with Him. We cannot let ourselves become stuck thinking that if we have found Him
or experienced Him then we don’t need to seek Him anymore. Complacency is the most deadly
foe of our spiritual lives. We must press in and strive to desire know God.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Have you been too easily satisfied with your relationship with God?
2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where complacency has crept into your life? Confess this as
sin and ask the Lord to change your heart.
3. Pray that God would continue to show to you the depth of who He is, that you would
continue to seek Him and experience more of His character every day.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 42:1-2 (NIV); As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
David is an example of a person who sought after the Lord. The Psalms that he wrote are filled
with the cry of his heart to know God in a deep and profound way. In today’s verses David
compares our desire to hunger after God with a deer who is panting for water. Have you ever
been so overheated that you would do anything for a drink of water? So thirsty that you would
pay an exorbitant price for a bottle of water; you would even trade something valuable to just
have a drink? David writes “Where can I go and meet with God?” David thirsted so deeply for
God that He was eager to meet with God each day. God was his lifeline. Too often in today’s
culture, we centre our evangelism around the initial act of “accepting” Christ. Yet, there is more
to being a Christian than this, we must spend our lives pursuing God, worshipping Him with our
lives, seeking Him and when we find Him we must not be satisfied for we must know that we can
never truly know an infinite God – there is always more that He can reveal to us about Himself.
It’s an endless journey, until we see Him face to face. We must not be too easily satisfied in our
relationship with Him. We cannot let ourselves become stuck thinking that if we have found Him
or experienced Him then we don’t need to seek Him anymore. Complacency is the most deadly
foe of our spiritual lives. We must press in and strive to desire know God.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Have you been too easily satisfied with your relationship with God?
2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you where complacency has crept into your life? Confess this as
sin and ask the Lord to change your heart.
3. Pray that God would continue to show to you the depth of who He is, that you would
continue to seek Him and experience more of His character every day.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Foundations September 2, 2011
The Law in 90 Days: Exodus 1-2
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 63:8 (KJV); My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Have you ever come to the realization that God is upholding you? Do you know that you are in
His hand? Sometimes it may feel like God is a million miles away. Sometimes it may feel that
you must endlessly strive to get into God’s good books; that you have to “earn” the relationship
that you have with Him BUT in reality the whole time that we are pursuing Him we are actually
in the palm of Hand. Now this does not mean that we can stop pursuing God, for God is a
Person and we must cultivate our relationship with Him. We are not to be content with merely
being “saved” (saying a prayer and then not relating with God throughout our lives). No, we are
to grow in our relationship with God for we cannot know someone if we do not encounter them
over and over again. Let’s not take our relationship with God casually, let’s cultivate an intimate
communion with Him. We are created in God’s image – this means that God has feelings,
emotions, He loves, He enjoys, He has desires, He thinks and He has a will. When we pursue
God then we get to know these things about God. It is the most amazing thing in the world to
know the thoughts and feelings of the Almighty God. This is personal, it’s not a religion, it’s not
a doctrine, it’s not done through corporate church services – it’s done individually, it’s done one
on one as you mine the depths of God in your personal devotion time. There are no short cuts,
no one can do this for you - you must do it for yourself.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Spend some time thanking God that He upholds you, that you are in the palm of His hand.
Spend a moment asking God how this impacts your life.
2. Have you been content with just being “saved”? Are you living your life without relating
to God? Confess this and ask the Lord to show you practical ways that you can relate to
Him.
3. Pray that you would grow in your personal relationship with God, that you would get
personal with God and open your heart to experience more of Him.
SCRIPTURE READING
Psalms 63:8 (KJV); My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Have you ever come to the realization that God is upholding you? Do you know that you are in
His hand? Sometimes it may feel like God is a million miles away. Sometimes it may feel that
you must endlessly strive to get into God’s good books; that you have to “earn” the relationship
that you have with Him BUT in reality the whole time that we are pursuing Him we are actually
in the palm of Hand. Now this does not mean that we can stop pursuing God, for God is a
Person and we must cultivate our relationship with Him. We are not to be content with merely
being “saved” (saying a prayer and then not relating with God throughout our lives). No, we are
to grow in our relationship with God for we cannot know someone if we do not encounter them
over and over again. Let’s not take our relationship with God casually, let’s cultivate an intimate
communion with Him. We are created in God’s image – this means that God has feelings,
emotions, He loves, He enjoys, He has desires, He thinks and He has a will. When we pursue
God then we get to know these things about God. It is the most amazing thing in the world to
know the thoughts and feelings of the Almighty God. This is personal, it’s not a religion, it’s not
a doctrine, it’s not done through corporate church services – it’s done individually, it’s done one
on one as you mine the depths of God in your personal devotion time. There are no short cuts,
no one can do this for you - you must do it for yourself.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Spend some time thanking God that He upholds you, that you are in the palm of His hand.
Spend a moment asking God how this impacts your life.
2. Have you been content with just being “saved”? Are you living your life without relating
to God? Confess this and ask the Lord to show you practical ways that you can relate to
Him.
3. Pray that you would grow in your personal relationship with God, that you would get
personal with God and open your heart to experience more of Him.
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