Arise and Abide

Reading Exodus 21:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  The Hebrews were called to be different that the other nations of the earth. God laying protective guidelines for those who sell themselves into slavery. Galatians 3:26. In Jesus we have the same inheritance. Jesus died for us, His blood frees us from slavery to sin and gives us access to the same inheritance, because of His great love for us.

Reading Psalms 46:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Adopting a “bring it on” attitude in the face of worry, fear, and anxiety, because our God is with us. Refuge being a place of retreat with strength to move forward. God is our refuge always with us, no need to retreat, just remember. Revelation 22:1-2. Emmanuel, God with us. God brings destruction to the things that destroy, the thing we use to kill each other. “Be still and know that I am God”, knowing God is what allows me to be still.

Reading Exodus 20:21-26 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God’s desire to speak and interact with people, calling us to remember all the LORD has done. Idols are a place people hide from what God is saying. Reminders of Genesis and the fall, our ideas of what is good. No opportunities for the stones to become idols, or for distractions from the most important, God. Hebrews 10:1 &11-18. The sacrificial system is a preview of Jesus’ sacrifice, once, for all sin.  

Reading Exodus 20:12-20 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Matthew 15:4 and Ephesians chapter 6:1-3. Honoring your parents is an act of humility that carries the promise of a long full life. The first law with a promise. Rules on how we are supposed to engage with society at large and in our intimate relationships. Jesus shifts the focus from what we are not supposed to do, to what we are supposed to do. Loving God and loving people are not separate things. Wanting to please God, versus not wanting to get in trouble. Fear fails to give the people the power to stop sinning. Fearing the LORD has to be done in the context of knowing the character our loving, patient, and almighty God.

Reading Exodus 20:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God reminding the people who He is and what He has done, before defining the relationship boundaries. The picture of loving God and loving people, the first four of the Ten Commandments are about us loving God. We are the bride of Christ, entering a marriage covenant. How we spend our time and money show our priorities. Idols are under human control and exist because of conclusions people have made. God loves us, loves you, how will you respond?

Reading Exodus 19:9-25 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Because of Jesus, we can approach God without worry or fear. Hebrews chapter 12:18-24. How serious it was to come into the presence of God, seriously dangerous. They had to physically clean themselves, wash their clothes. That would never make them clean enough. But with the blood of Jesus, we are made new. Looking at what God is asking you to give up. As opposed to why you're supposed to be turning your attention from that thing and put it on the Lord. Preparing our hearts and minds to listen to what God is about to say.

Reading Exodus 19:1-9 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The journey taking longer than a three-day journey that they had originally said to Pharaoh. God preparing their hearts before they come to this place to worship. To obey is to love each other as Jesus loves us. It's not just about Israelites, it is about having them represent God to the rest of the world. 1 Peter 2:5-9, Revelation 1:6, 20:6, Romans 15:16. The offering to God speaks to that Royal priesthood that we're called into. Offering the spiritual sacrifices that we make through praising God and obeying God, loving God and loving people.

Reading Exodus 18:13-27 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Disputes being a biproduct of our human nature. Moses was approaching it in the same way that a Pharaoh would approach it. We imitate the example that's been set for us. We may be made in the image of God, but we are not God. We need each other. It doesn't do any good just to teach and address each one if those people can't then turn and teach others. It's like making disciples. That's how it grows. Jesus tells each person that wants to follow him, to go and make disciples and teach them all the things that he's taught to them.

Reading Psalms 45:1-17 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. This Psalm, it was painting this picture of watching a royal wedding. Sally reminded of 1 Samuel chapter 8 when the people of Israel wanted a king. Jesus talked about how the kingdom of God was near and how it was different. There's no human king that is going to move in your heart in such a way that you're going to want to stop complaining about the situations and circumstances in your life and just sing songs of praise of how great the king is. Christ being the bridegroom, His followers being the bride. The beauty that Jesus is looking at is in the way we engage with people and the way we express God's love to one another.

Reading Exodus 18:1-12 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. It's an interesting parallel to see that first name of Joseph's son, and then the first name of Moses’ son, and where they were in that moment, when they both felt alone, and then to see what God brought them through. Moses going from a fugitive to the person that everybody looks to. God put Moses in that leadership position through God's strength. Prophecy is speaking God's message to the people. Moses bearing that witness, giving his testimony to Jethro. We get this little window into Jethro's journey.