Arise and Abide

Reading Exodus 2:11-25 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God didn’t tell Moses to kill the Egyptian, Moses was not to be a vigilante. Moses’ desire to rescue and bring justice is impaired by his sin nature. Moses being a foreigner, a man without a land or home of his own. Pharaoh finding out about the murder and sending Moses on the run was a blessing of protection from God, saving Moses from himself and giving him a real family. God is not a fan of violence and murder.

Reading Exodus 2:1-10 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The heart of Moses’ mom wanting to keep the baby safe yet feeling she could no longer keep him hidden. Pharaoh’s daughter doing what she saw as the next best thing to do. The act of surrender without a contingency plan. Letting go of your life to save it.

Reading Exodus 1:1-22 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Time passes, the people of Israel grow, and the Egyptians respond in fear. The Hebrew midwives respond in fear of God. The more they are oppressed the more they grow, the more they grow the more severe the response. Jesus shows us how to live in love and peace, the enemy wants to kill, steal, and destroy and uses fear as one way to get people to do the dirty work.

Reading Psalms 40:1-17 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Recognizes his need for God to continue with him to be steady as he goes. We cannot rescue ourselves; we can brush ourselves off, but we need God to really get clean. The pruning and the growing is all part of God’s plan for all our lives. The sacrificial system is not what God wanted but was a gift for humanity to have a way while we waited for a savior. Sometimes we are allowed to go through hard things that we might turn to Him.

Reading Luke 2:21-40 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Simeon’s expectation of the Messiah and his faith in God’s word. With Jesus birth comes the repeated message that He is for all people. The hard part of the good news prophesied by Simeon. The deepest thoughts of many hearts being revealed by the Word of God. Jesus asks questions that puts a mirror up to our hearts to show us what we need to surrender to Him. The excitement to share the good news.

Reading Luke 2:1-20 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. God drawing people to Jesus, drawing people to Himself. The good news is for all people. The shepherd’s changed outlook on the world. The excitement to go, see, and share. Mary’s surreal experience be Jesus’ mom. The moments we store in our hearts and think about often. The opportunity given to the shepherds which they jumped on immediately. The hanging on until heaven mentality when the Prince of Peace is here now.

Reading Luke 1:67-80 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Zachariah’s prophecy answers the question “What will this child turn out to be?”. Speaking the prophecy in front of witnesses filled with Holy Spirit knowledge.  Jesus coming to light the way of the path to peace. Why come up with ideas on how to ‘accomplish life’ but we don’t know. God came to show us the way and what to do.

Reading Luke 1:57-66 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John the Baptists’ birth was a big event in the town. They recognized God’s hand in the whole situation. The blessing and the mercy. The love of longing fulfilled. An interesting eight days for Zachariah. The faithfulness of God is something you can count on. Not getting what you deserve and having the suffering cut short. John was not a random weird guy in the desert.

Reading Luke 1:39-56 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Special moment the two expectant mothers got to share. Knowledge is not always helpful, but faith in God is always going to get you through the hard things with rejoicing. The importance of humility in God’s Kingdom. Taking a posture of humility. The value the world puts on things and the things God see as valuable. God sees our hurts and our cries. Reading scripture helps you see the heart of God.

Reading Luke 1:21-38 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The disgrace society puts on people over things out of their control. The blessing of life is from God.  God is more than enough for us. God wants us to see Him as enough for us. The Word of God will never fail, for nothing is impossible with God. Similar but very different questions of Zacharia and Mary. Posture yourself in the presence of God in a humble manner.