Psalm 25

It took me about 3 minutes to read this psalm of David. In verse 19 David make a statement to God regarding the number of people who sought his life. Reading through the accounts of David's life in the books of Samuel and 1st Chronicles it is evident that David wasn't exagerating. Armies sought out David in his hiding places. Kings pursued him while he was a warrior/general and while he was an innocent outlaw. While we may struggle when less than a dozen people of little political value speak ill of us, David knew well that there were hundreds, if not thousands, of well established kingdom who would parade his body through the streets in victory. In the middle of such conflict and danger David showed his heart in verse 4; where he begged God to reveal his divine nature to David's heart. That is the characteristic of a man after God's heart.
Stuart

Leviticus 26

It took me almost 5 minutes to read this chapter. In this passage God presents the two possibilities that he sets before Israel. The first possibility we might call "Wonderland", because everything he describes is wonderful. The second possibility we might call "Horror-ville", because the events God describes progressively grow worse with each passing verse. There is only one thing that determines which of these very different pictures would become the reality for Israel: whether they choose to obey God, or not. If they obey God they honor him. If they disobey God's Law they insult God who is the lawgiver. But even if they dishonor God, he will not fully forsake his people.
Stuart

Leviticus 23-25

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. I've always been interested in the year of Jubilee. I know that there are a wealth of lessons that God is teaching in that practice. Unfortunately I'm missing most of the lessons. One of the obvious lessons is that all of our provisions have their origin in God. Just as he explained to Israel; the land is his, and they are his tenants (25:23). Just as God ownes our lives, he also owned our "posessions". We are managers of all that he had put under our control.  We need to remember that we will have to give an account for all of our management activities.
Stuart

Leviticus 22

It took about 5 minutes to read this chapter. (Note: I am reading in a slightly different order right now because I allowed my schedule to supercede my scripture reading time. I'm a little off schedule on the long readings, but ahead of schedule on the short readings. Hopefully I catch up in the next week or so.) In verses 17-25 of this chapter God gives examples as unacceptable sacrifices. They were animals that might have looked good from a distance, but had little value other than food. A bull that was capable of producing 100 strong offspring was of great value in a farming community. A steer that was destined for the dinner table was nothing special. Offering the former was an example of an acceptable, holy sacrifice. The latter was unholy; common, and therefore an unacceptable sacrifice.
Stuart

Leviticus 19-21

It took mw about 15 minutes to read through this section. God gives Israel some practical examples of applying the Law in their lives. Repeatedly he gives the admonishion; "be holy because I am holy." 19:1; 20:8, 25; and 21:9. Holiness is displayed in our lifestyle, but it is a seed planted in our desires. When our thought are focused on God we will think along the lines of hoiliness. But we won't display a holy life until following God's Law becomes our passion. When we thirst for God's word. When we hunger for God's righteousness. When we gasp for the breath of God's mercy to be expressed in our lives. These are the indicators of a holy life.
Stuart

Proverbs 17

It took me about 5 minutes to read this list of wise saying from Solomon's heart. The first assessment he notes in this chapter has to do with food and the environments surrounding the meal. I'm thinking that Solomon lived this truth in the king's house. There must have been numerous times when the table was decked out with the finest linens, plates, drink. and food. But the people sitting at the table were quarreling bitterly amongst each other the whole time. During a meal like that I know that I would focus on a quiet snacktime with my family, where there was little food but an abundance of love and laughter, instead of the mayhem in front of me. When God is at the table it doesn't matter what is being served. What matters is that his peace and contentment blankets everyone who eats in his faith, and delights in his presence.
Stuart

Leviticus 15-18

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. There are so many practical lessons for us that it is difficult to settle on one for this entry. But the lesson that I find very moving in this passage is from 16:34. As God completed his explanation of Yom Kippur he points out that it is an annual observation for each year. Once each year ONE sacrifice is made for ALL the sins of ALL the people of Israel. This corparate sacrifice was expensive; it consisted of a bull, a ram, and two goats. Three were slaughtered one was sent into the wildreness. The key lesson is the ONE sacrifice for ALL the people. What better picture os the power of Jesus' life could God have given?.
Stuart

Leviticus 12-14

It took me about 13 minutes to read this passage. In 14:33 God points out that he will determine which house in Israel will receive a fungus. I wonder why God would express his rule through fungus? But he doesn't reveal why he will send the fugus, only that he will. It is a hard truth for us to accept; that God can send a destructive fungus into a house and be justified in this course of action. But he is justified, and such an action is intended to further develop the faith in the life of the recipient. That gives us a different prespective to consider.
Stuart

Proverbs 16

It took me about 5 minutes to read this passage. The first and last proverbs in this chapter (I know that Solomon didn't put in the chapter marks, but the people who did must have broken the chapter at these points for some reason) carry the same messag about God's sovernity; he has the final say in everything. We can plan all that we want, with as great as details as we desire. Yet, we may find oursleves on the opposite side of our plans then where God would have us. So this not only requires wisdom on our part - aligning our plans with God's will - it also demands humility. We have to realize that no matter how noble and godly our plans, we may not be the person God wants to use to complete his plan. Consider king David's desire to build the temple, and God's plans for the temple builder; David's son.
Stuart

Levitcus 9-11

It took about 10 minutes for me to read this passage. Toward the end of chapter 11 God lays down the standard he expects of his people; holiness. I think there is a tendancy among Christians to over spiritualize the term holiness. I think that God's idea is for his people to be motivated by spiritual desires, not the desires of the flesh. With this command following after God's specification of clean and unclean food I think God's point is even clearer; don't be indescrimenate by eating the food that other people eat. God expects his people to follow his guideline in every area of life.
Stuart

Levitcus 7-8

It took me almost 10 minutes to read this passage. Moses brought Aaron and his sons and the people of Israel together in front of the tent od meeting. Before Moses began the ritual of ordaining the first high priest he spoke the message; "this is what God has commanded to be done." We need to make sure that our actions are equally motivated by God's command. That we examine our plans in light of God's will before moving forward. I don't want to be guilty of turning something God created for his glory into an empty ritual.
Stuart

Leviticus 5-6

It took me a little over 5 minutes to read these two chapters.  God left no part of life untouched by the Law.  A witness to a crime should voluntarily step forward to offer testimony (5:1) , an impulsive oath is still an oath and the speaker is liable before God (5:4).  But God also provided a means of forgiveness; immediate confession and sacrifice (5:5-6).  God is consistent in this area through his revelation from Genesis to Revelation.  In 1 John 1:9 the aged apostle repeats the words that Moses recorded centuries before, with was one big difference.  Both passages call for a statement admitting our guilt, but Moses called the Jews to offer a sacrifice.  John, at the other end of the Bible, implies that the final sacrifice has already been completed in Jesus.  That’s really good to know.

Stuart

Proverbs 15

It took me about 3 minutes to read this list of wise observations, and godly truths. The last verse in the chapter is the proverb that caught my attention. If we consider life as a school, then the focus of our study should be how to apply the fear of God to our lives. Solomon lays out the cirriculum; learn humility in every area of life. When we do that in reverence to God, each lesson will be rewarded with a touch of God's glory. There's no way to know just how that touch will be expressed, but Gof will continue to draw us to him.
Stuart

Leviticus 1-4

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  This book begins with the description of the burnt offering.  Whenever I read this my thoughts immediately go to the cross of Jesus.  “Present a male without defect”; a picture of Jesus to sinless lamb of God. “at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting”; the sacrifice will be in front of the place where God has chosen for his name to dwell.  That is a pretty clear description of Jerusalem to me.  “Lay your hands on the head…so that it may be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.” As Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel could they have imagined that their descendants, many centuries later, would lay their hands on God’s innocent son and not see God accepting their sacrifice for their, and our, atonement?  “Slaughter …in God’s presence on your behalf…” There will be no trial for this offering from the herd, he will be slaughtered in the sight of the place where God’s has placed his name.  “carefully laying out the wood, and then arrange the body …on the wood…”  Those there was no care taken with Jesus, he was man-handled, his body was literally laid out on the wood, and then nailed in place.  Though the pictures described in both Leviticus and the Gospels are brutal, they show the pain God was willing to endure to bring us back to him.  I am thankful that Jesus gave up his life for me, and for all people.

Stuart

Proverbs 14

It took me about 6 minutes to read these proverbs. I want to focus on the first and last proverb in this chapter. Solomon begins this list with a word picture of the fruits of a life that is founded on wisdom. If it were a house it would not only be secure and well built (safe and sound) it would posess all the qualities that would allow a family to move in and call it "home". It would be a beautiful sight to behold. But what would happen in the same house if foolishness moved in? Brick by brick, the house would be dismantled. Its beauty would vanish. Its foundation would soon become a weak and useless pile of rubble.
The first part of the last verse is a word that our culture, especially the church, needs to hear, 
Stuart

Acts 26-28

It took me almost 18 minutes to read the end of Luke’s accounting of the work in the early church.  During the worst of the storm, that Luke recorded in chapter 27, Paul stood up before 275 sailors and passengers on that boat.  Though Luke doesn’t give us a timeframe, it might have been the fourth or fifth day in the storm, he does mention that they were sick to death and had given up on survival.  But then Paul began his speech with;  “I told you so….”  That’s not the way I would start a speech meant to encourage 275 scared, hungry, and angry seafarers.  But immediately after that Paul passed on a promise that God made to him; “no one is going to drown.”  I’m sure that Luke, Aristarchus, and the other Christians travelling with Paul were reassured, but the other travelers may have been skeptical.  So Paul explained how he received this assurance, through an angle who had visited Paul the night before. (vss 21-26)  But God took his time making the delivery from the storm a reality.  Whether 10 days or 14 days passed I’m not sure, but it must have seemed like an eternity.  Some of the 275 passengers on the boat must have begun to doubt Paul’s message.  But then Paul speaks again; “Eat up.  You’ll need the physical strength to swim to shore.”  I can hear the people grumbling over the wind and the boat creaking as the waves pounded against the side.  “Eat!” Paul encouraged.  He offered a prayer of thanks, in the middle of a storm, in the middle of the sea, with no idea where they were.  Then Paul ate.  Something happened when he did that.  Maybe it was Luke, Aristarchus, and the other Christians.  Maybe they took food, ate a little and began passing it around.  I’m sure there were still naysayers, but at least some, if not all of the people were willing to grab hold of any message of hope.  I wonder how many of those people started listening to everything Paul had to say once they reached Malta.  There may have been a handful of Christians to swim to shore on Malta, but how many Christians left the island three months later?

Stuart

Acts 22-25

I spent about 15 minutes reading this passage. The Old Testement book of Esther displays the nature of God working through his providence and the prayers of his people without even mentioning him at work. With the exception of Jesus' vision to Paul in the brigg at Jerusalem (23:11) this story is equal to Esther in displaying God's providence. Paul sits through three trials over the period of at least two years. Each time he refutes the accusations made against him, or side tracks the arguments. All of this done by God-given words. Two plots on Paul's life are foiled; once by a young man in the right place at the right time, and the other time by the logic of a Roman politician. All of these events were intended to stupify the faithless amoung the Jews, witness God power to the Roman government, and get Paul safely to Rome. Very much the same things that God did through a young woman named Esther.
Stuart

Proverbs 13

It took me almost 5 minutes to read through these gems of wisdom. Verse 16 of this collection stands out to me. Solomon points out that a person can claim to be rational, and exercise good judgement. Yet is they don't act in accordance with their understanding is there really any wisdom in their lives. To express true wisdom a person must live out what they believe.
Stuart

Acts 19-21

It took me 17 minutes to read this passage.  Jesus put a burden on Paul to return to Jerusalem (20:16).  Paul had his heart set on Rome (19:21) but in obedience to the Lord’s leading kept that plan in place for after he visited Jerusalem.  On his “farewell tour” through Macedonia and Asia Paul offered his good bye to each group of believers.  And he would not be deterred from Jerusalem.  Even when God sent Agabus to Caesarea to explain to Paul what would happen in Jerusalem.  God gave Paul a choice, but Paul understood that God would gain the greatest glory because of Paul’s obedience, regardless of the cost.  Paul did not give up on life, but rather he gave up his life to Jesus.  He gave it up first in Damascus, and then every day after that.  It was not an easy choice.  Paul saw the hurt in the eyes and on the faces of those who begged him to travel away from Jerusalem.  Paul knew that his decision to obey Jesus would bring emotional pain to many of those who were close to him.  I can imagine Trophimus blaming himself for Paul’s abuse by the Jews(21:29).  Paul was hurt by their hurt, but it was more important to be obedient to Jesus.  That is part of the cost of dying to self.

Stuart

Proverbs 12

It only took about 3 minutes to read through these wise sayings. Verse 19 lays down a foundation that we all need to hear. The Message presents that verese like this: "Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow." That is why the nineth commandment is included in the base of the law. Only God can define truth, our choice is to receive it as true or make up a falsehood that our enemy thrust into our thoughts. Even when we claim a lie as the truth everyone can see right through it. Like an old worn-out garment, lies provide no protection and have little value. And they won't stand up to the test of time and serious scrutiny.  Truth lasts, no doubt about it.
Stuart

Acts 16-18

It took me about 13 minutes to read this passage.  There are two unnamed people who had an impact of the travels of Paul through Greece.  The first person was the possessed slave girl in Philippi (16:16).  The demon led her to chase after Paul, wherever he went and taunt him.  Those her predictions were accurate I doubt that her claims about Paul were complimentary.  I picture the demon as being loud, obnoxious, and always interrupting Paul’s sermons; a spiritual heckler among those in the flesh.  Whenever Paul gathered a group of listeners the girl was there too; spouting obscenities and accusations.  When Paul cast out the demon I wonder what happened to this girl.  She probably hadn’t done much work, and her worth was based on her ability to tell fortunes.  Did her owners discard her.  If she found herself free of the spirit and free of enslavement did she seek out Paul again; desiring to hear more about the God who set her free from her double entrapment?  We don’t know, but I wonder.

I also wonder about the artisan in Athens who had carved the shrine to “An Unknown God”(Acts 17:23).  How did God move that polytheist to create a shrine to a god with no name?  Did his life reflect the disdain toward the Greek pantheon where the gods were in a continual struggle with each other, to preoccupied with their own demands to look with concern on the people struggling on earth.  Had he heard about the God of Israel, with an unpronounceable name, who watched over His people day and night and delivered them in their time of need?  Was she a woman who felt only emptiness in the temple of Zeus?  How many years passed from the time the shrine was build and God led Paul to that point so that he would have a foothold to speak to the people of Athens?  Once again, we don’t know.  But it is an amazing example of the work of God providence.

Stuart

Proverbs 11

It took me 5 minutes to read what may have taken Solomon months to observe and record. The proverb in this passage that caught my attention was in verse 4. Money has no benefit when the emotional part of life fails us. When we live our life on godly principles then there is a stability that cannot be shaken. That is a vital part of understanding Christianity. The truthes that Jesus revealed to us will keep our lives on the level through all of the emotional swings of life. That, I believe, is a sure sign of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
Stuart

Acts 14-15

It took me a little over 12 minutes to read these two chapters.  I wonder why John-Mark went home during Paul and Barnabas’ first trip into Asia-Minor.  There is no record of persecution prior to their arrival on the mainland.  What was it that John-Mark didn’t like, or feared?  Maybe it was Barnabas; the way that he was so accepting of people.  Whatever the reason John-Mark shows up in the narrative again and Paul isn’t pleased with the possibility of travelling with him again.  Was there a “winner” in the argument?  Yes.  God’s Kingdom.  Even when they disagreed, strongly, Paul and Barnabas kept working toward the same goal.  I think that it is safe to say that there was no attack on each other’s character.  They put the work of the Kingdom over any personal disagreement, and in the process Paul was eventually shown that John-Mark was a worthy worker for God’s Kingdom.

Stuart

Acts 13

It took me about 7 minutes to read this chapter. When Paul first presented the Gospel Antioch Pisidia he spoke about the work of John the Baptist. John's work was critical, because God was about to introduce something that would make the ears of his Jewish listeners tingle. John revived the call of the old prophets; "Repent!" But John added to that message; "The Kingdom of God is here." From that message Paul led into the work of redemption through Jesus' blood. Paul's message is a good reminder how God works through the lives of the ordinary and unusual to bring ab out his will.
Stuart

Oooppps

I left my Bible, and the reading plan, in an inconvienent location. I won't get back to pick it up until tomorrow afternoon. I'll miss my reading time tonight, and during the day tomorrow. Reading the Bible is a stablizer in my life. As I revisit the lives of the people of faith I see the examples of simple trust which God used to destroy cities. I'm reminded of the dogged dependence on God to provide that filled the mouths of thousands. I see examples of people very similar to me, who allowed God to use them so that he could do amazing things through them. Finally, I see the Spirit who motivated millions to lay aside this world, even before they left it, and claim a home that will never collapse or loose its value. I need reminders like that.
Stuart

Acts 10-12

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Peter had been in prison before; the temple jail. But he had not been in Herod's prison. (I wonder what he thought as he walked past the whipping area where Jesus had been scourged?) Nor had he been under a death sentence. Now he understood the meaning of Jesus' words to him recorded in John's gospel, 21:17-19; though this wasn't the time for his death. He had been led some place where he didn't want to go. Maybe Peter was recalling that night in the garden when Jesus prayed and he had slept. I think Peter understood that his life was in God's hands. Maybe he fell asleep praying. Maybe he nodded off as he spoke of God grace in his life to his "captive" audience. Did they listen to him or mock him? We don't know. I wonder when those guards discovered that he was gone? I wonder how many of Peter's words came back to them as they were being beaten?
Stuart

Acts 9

It took about 5 minutes to read this chapter. The last record in this chapter is around the resurrection of Tabitha. When I read the Gospels too often I forget that Peter was with Jesus when he was raising the dead. Peter shows that he learned from Jesus' example. When he came to Tabitha's body, he did not make a public spectacle of her resurrection. Just like Jesus had done, the restoration of life to this woman's body was a private matter to God. We also see that Peter took up the mantle of Jesus' authority; after his prayer he ordered life back into the disciples body, and it was so.
Stuart

Acts 7-8

It took me 15 minutes to read this passage. In Stephen's lecture to the Jewish leader this Christian pointed out the only part of the promised land that Abraham, Issac, and Jacob owned was a grave. (7:16) That grave was the only reminder of God's promise to Abraham, "to your son I will give all that you see". Likewise Jesus' grave was more than a place for bodies to rot, it was a place where sins were buried and eternal life was born. Jesus' grave is our starting point for all eternity. It is the first foothold in our inheritance of eternal life with God.
Stuart

Proverbs 10

It took me about 4 minutes to read all of these choice morsels that Solomon observed and recorded. A number of these truths focus on the value of words. Verse 11 contrasts the words of a good person and a wicked person. The words of both are a picture of depth. One is a deep well, the source of freshest water in Solomon's days. The other is a deep cave, and at the bottom there is no life giving treasure but a spring of abusive words that flow out on their listeners. Solomon had seen both. So have we.  We need this reminder ao that we will allow God to continually change us from caves of abuse into wells of life.
Stuart

Proverbs 9

It took about 3 minutes to read these words of Solomon. This is the tale of two "women" who call out to the crowds offering vastly different answers for the confusion of life. Wisdom offers the purpose of knowing and serving God. We may not get the answers that we want, but we will be given the answers and tools that we need. The other "woman" is a harlot; ignoring the questions of life. She seeks to drown out the questions we have by feeding the cravings of the flesh. She will not give us the answers we want either, but she will not give us ANY answers at all. That is the difference between wisdom and the flesh.
Stuart

Acts 4-6

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage.  The boldness of the apostles was equaled by the wonders that God was working in their lives.  The people in Jerusalem were exercising their faith in God by drawing near to Peter and the other apostles just as they had drawn near to Jesus.  This was all in response to the prayer that the believers offered in Acts 4:24-30.  And the results of their faith was identical as during  Jesus’ ministry in the flesh “they all were healed.” (Acts 5:16)  But Luke describes the changes in people’s lives brought about through the direct, and providential, presence of the Holy Spirit; the believers were one in heart towards God and their possessions.  The believers were “dying to self” in very practical ways; “not a person among them was needy.” (Acts 4:34)  That is just as powerful as the miracles that God worked in their presence.

Stuart

Proverbs 8

It took about 5 minutes to read this chapter; a chapter all about wisdom and her virtues. In the book Approaching God, Lee Brase describes wisdom as having good foresight. Solomon said that wisdom is characterized by good counsel and common sense. But more importantly Solomon encourages us to pursue wisdom. And when we have found it, in what ever form it may hold at that time, we are to adopt it in our lives.
Stuart

Acts 1-3

It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage, but I kept getting interrupted.  Something that I had read in chapter 2 numerous times before but never noticed was how surprising the events on that Pentecost were to everyone.  Jesus had commanded the apostles to stay in Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.  But Jesus didn’t them give any indication as to how long they would have to wait.  So they spent their days of waiting in prayer and study of the scripture.  When Pentecost came Jesus surprised them all by sending a loud wind to shake the word.  I wonder if that sound like a wind was the physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s arrival or the demonic spirit’s fleeing?  Jesus’ timing was perfect, even if it was unexpected.

Stuart

Exodus 38-40

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  Moses finishes the details of building the furnishings of the tabernacle and quickly explains the process of erecting the entire assembly.  The very last verse of the book of Exodus explains the fulfillment of God’s promise to go with Israel as they obeyed him.  The physical display of God’s presence, the cloud/fire, was always over the tabernacle.  The tabernacle was the earthly dwelling place of his name.  For me it is not a large leap to make this promise to Israel a continuing promise to Christians; those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13)  He may not rescue us from the troubles and pain of this life, but our God will be with us through all of those difficult times, just as he is with us during our times of joy.

Stuart

Proverbs 7

I needed only 2 minutes to read this proverb. And it really is only one proverb; a wise saying about controlling our fleshly passions. Solomon recounts the events that he must have witnessed at least once in his life; the unrestrained passions of a hormone inflamed young man, and the evil mind of a faithless wife. Though their meeting would be displayed as a love story in Hollywood, Solomon calls it what it really is; a halfway house to hell. The irreverence toward God's design and the elevation of earthly passions as supreme has only one result; sorrow. And that sorrow, which will consume those who are trapped by it, ends in eternal seperation from God.
Stuart

Exodus 34-37

It took me about 18 minutes to read this passage.  Moses went into details about the construction of the tabernacle and the furniture that God instructed him to place inside of the structure.  What caught my attention in this passage was in chapter 34, verse 15.  There God describes another aspect of his character when he calls himself The Jealous God.  Applying the term jealous normally carries a bad connotation to me.  I think that is because of the personal characteristics that normally motivate and accompany a jealous person; extreme self-interest, outbursts of anger, irrational thought processes, violent behavior, distrust, plus many other un-Christian displays.  Since all of these attributes are contrary to God’s nature we can be assure that when he becomes jealous it is for our good.  I don’t know if people can be jealous with the same motivation as God, but if we could we would redefine the meaning of jealousy.

Stuart

Exodus 31-33

It took about 12 minutes to read this passage.  God spoke to Moses in the beginning of chapter 31 by mentioning two names: Bezalel and Oholiab.  Two artist in the nation of Israel.  Some artist have amazed me with the works that they created through the centuries.  Others have baffled me; that their creations are called art. (I don’t have a good appreciation for many forms of art)  Regardless of our opinions of artist and their art work I find it interesting how God described the artistry of Bezalel: “I’ve personally chosen Bezalel….I’ve filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him skill and know-how and expertise in every kind of craft…he’s an all-around craftsman.” (Exodus 32:1-5; The Message)  God speaks similar words about Oholiab. He wants Moses to know that their artistic abilities are not random selections brought out in the Jewish gene pool.  How did God refine the skills that he gave Bezalel and Oholiab?  In the fires of slavery and oppression.  Yet another example of God’s nature having always conformed to the truth that Paul wrote in Romans 8:28; “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”(NIV)

Stuart

Proverbs 6

It only took a couple of minutes to read the proverbs in this chapter. Solomon covers a number of topics, but I want to focus on verses 6-11. Here Solomon offers guidance in regard to planning ahead in life. We can relax and "enjoy" life, or we can diligently prepare. But he doesn't state the benefits of a prepared life. But then again, he doesn't have to. He explains what happens in the life focused on pleasure. Will a dilegent life always be pleasant? No, but because of hard work poverty will not be our constant companion.
Stuart

Exodus 28-30

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. It began with God's instructions to Moses regarding the priestly clothing for Aaron and his sons. The clothing of these first 5 priests were to be disticntively different from what the common people wore. I believe this is an example to Christians; our actions should be noticably different from the actions of the world. The vestment that Aaron wore was even more beautiful then that worn by his sons. This is because Aaron is a picture of Jesus, our high priest. He was not only to stand out from the people, but also be different from the appearance of the priests under him. The book of Hebrews explains all of these truths about Jesus, our high priest, and God's Kingdom of priest, which is the church.
Stuart

Proverbs 5

It took only 2 minutes to read this passage Solomon wrote about the dangers of sexual promiscuity. The setting he chose was that of a wayward wife, but the lesson is all about the dangers of living a life without discipline. The desires that we all face in our lives must be brought under control. They seek to master our lives, but at the end of the "joy-ride" we will end up slaves to a life that we loathe. This will happen if we choose the desires of our flesh over the desires of our God.
Stuart

Proverbs 4

It took me only a couple of minutes to read these word of wisdom ab out wisdom. Solomon recounts the words of instruction that King David spoke to his son; seek after wisdom. Solomon didn't know the boy who faced the giant. He didn't know the young warrior who sought king Saul's favor and received God's annointing. Solomon heard all the stories of hiding, of worship, of banishment, and of continual faithfulness to God. But out of everyone of these stories David must have always come back to wisdom. Solomon heard those word and when God asked the new king what he wanted I envision the teenage Solomon speaking in a voice, that sounded much like that shepherd, "Give me wisdom!"
Stuart

Exodus 25-27

It took me a little over 15 minutes to read this passage.  I often marvel at the intelligence that God displays in the universe.  I believe that creation shouts out about the wonderful design that God has made.  There is no questions that the intricate details of the natural world show that God is by nature an engineer.  When God instructed Moses to lead the construction of the tabernacle he included a lot of engineering spec’s.  But an engineer would not have given some of the details that God present Moses; that is the work of an architect.  An architect is a cross between an engineer and an artist.  With my background in engineering I see an engineer and artist as the two extremes of creation.  An engineer works to make the creation functional while an artist works to make the creation a thing of wonder.  The description of the building of the tabernacle reminds me not to limit God to my experience.  I believe that God has created people different in order to mirror the vast array of creativity that he displays in creation.

Stuart