Read
Leviticus 22:1-8
Think
The instructions state to notice if you're drawn towards or repelled from God as you read the passage. To be honest, I don't feel either. I know that I'm not a descendant of Aaron, I'm not a priest, I don't live under the Law and that Jesus fulfilled the Law so I can live under grace. I'm unclean after I have sex with my wife? God gave us marital sex so how can it make me unclean? I've never touched a corpse and don't plan on it. If I have a skin disease or discharge, I'm going to the doctor for some antibiotics. I find it difficult to have a reaction to this passage because I feel like it doesn't apply to me.
CJ
2.24.2010
2.23.2010
Dasy 9: Letting Go of Sin
Read
Leviticus 16:20-22
Think
The practice in this passage may seem odd today. It was also odd in those days because instead of killing a near-perfect animal, this animal would be allowed to live.
Read the passage again.
No amount of words will ever be adequate or quite right, but thank you for taking away my sin and allowing me to be in relationship with You.
Live
Quiet your mind and wait on God to show you situations in which you need to remember what you just did. Practice resting assured of God's love in those situations as you are resting assured now.
Leviticus 16:20-22
Think
The practice in this passage may seem odd today. It was also odd in those days because instead of killing a near-perfect animal, this animal would be allowed to live.
Read the passage again.
- Picture yourself laying your hands on this precious animal's head. Even better, hold a stuffed animal, figurine, or even your pet, and put your hands on its head.
- Confess to God your acts or rebellion, your bad attitudes, and your harsh thoughts about others.
- Experience the feeling of transferring your sin to this animal. (Don't feel sorry for the animal. God didn't give it the capacity to take on hurt or guilt from your sin.)
- See yourself sending it off as it takes your sin away from you.
No amount of words will ever be adequate or quite right, but thank you for taking away my sin and allowing me to be in relationship with You.
Live
Quiet your mind and wait on God to show you situations in which you need to remember what you just did. Practice resting assured of God's love in those situations as you are resting assured now.
2.22.2010
Day 8: The Necessity of Sacrifice
Read
Leviticus 4:32-35
Think
I don't know why God required sacrifices and offerings were to be done in such a unique manner. All I know is that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). No, I don't think God was cruel for requiring animals to be killed as offerings to Him. He created them all and put us over them. I can only trust that He knew what He was doing. Jesus fulfilled the Law (i.e. sacrifices) when He died on the cross. There is now no Holy of Holies, there is now no temple veil, there is now no priest I have to go through to talk with God. All we have to do is accept Jesus' offering and follow His commands. God takes sin so seriously because it separates us from Him. He created us to be in relationship with Him and sin keeps that from happening. The sacrifices God looks for now are a "broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17), confession (Psalm 38:18), and repentance (Acts 2:38).
Pray
Ask God to help you understand the severity of your own sin. Thank God that He sent Jesus, the Lamb of God, to come and be the sacrifice for your sins.
Live
Knowing that God has provided the ultimate sacrifice through His Son, Jesus, consider sharing this great truth with someone today. As your drive, walk, work, and relax, whisper under your breath, "Thank you, Jesus," each time you remember the sacrifice He made for your sins.
Leviticus 4:32-35
Think
I don't know why God required sacrifices and offerings were to be done in such a unique manner. All I know is that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). No, I don't think God was cruel for requiring animals to be killed as offerings to Him. He created them all and put us over them. I can only trust that He knew what He was doing. Jesus fulfilled the Law (i.e. sacrifices) when He died on the cross. There is now no Holy of Holies, there is now no temple veil, there is now no priest I have to go through to talk with God. All we have to do is accept Jesus' offering and follow His commands. God takes sin so seriously because it separates us from Him. He created us to be in relationship with Him and sin keeps that from happening. The sacrifices God looks for now are a "broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17), confession (Psalm 38:18), and repentance (Acts 2:38).
Pray
Ask God to help you understand the severity of your own sin. Thank God that He sent Jesus, the Lamb of God, to come and be the sacrifice for your sins.
Live
Knowing that God has provided the ultimate sacrifice through His Son, Jesus, consider sharing this great truth with someone today. As your drive, walk, work, and relax, whisper under your breath, "Thank you, Jesus," each time you remember the sacrifice He made for your sins.
2.20.2010
Day 7: God Encounters
On this seventh day, review and reflect on all you have read this week. Take the time to revel in the ways you've encountered GOd in the past six days.
Day 6: God Reveals Himself
Read
Exodus 33:21-34:7
Live
Envision the way God is present to you right now.
What posture does He have? He's sitting with me at the computer.
What expression is on His face? A look of fatherly love, concern, jealousy ("How He Loves" is coming to mind).
If He speaks to you, what tone does His voice hold? Joy
Ask Him to enhance-and correct, if necessary-in the coming months this picture of how you see Him, through the Bible passages you read and through your experiences.
CJ
Exodus 33:21-34:7
Live
Envision the way God is present to you right now.
What posture does He have? He's sitting with me at the computer.
What expression is on His face? A look of fatherly love, concern, jealousy ("How He Loves" is coming to mind).
If He speaks to you, what tone does His voice hold? Joy
Ask Him to enhance-and correct, if necessary-in the coming months this picture of how you see Him, through the Bible passages you read and through your experiences.
CJ
2.19.2010
Day 5: The Bread God Has Given
I want to share today's devotion instead of my response to it. What I've complained about can't be discussed out in the open yet, if ever. It's nothing bad, but I'm waiting for a change.
Read
Exodus 16:9-16
Read the passage aloud. Have fun pronouncing man-hu in different ways. If you'd like, read the expanded passage to get a picture of the complaining that came before this and the obsessive hoarding that came after (Exodus 16 from The Message). Both give us a picture of the neediness of the Israelites at this time.
Thinking
Read the passage again slowly, pausing to feel each emotion of the Israelites:
Pray
If you haven't formally complained to God about this matter, do so. Ask God to show you how he has provided you with enough, even though you still might wonder.
Live
Sit in the quiet and feel God's "enoughness" in your body. Where do you feel it? In arms that are full? In a quiet mind? In a stomach that feels full? In muscles that work well? If you can really mean it, try delighting in this enoughness.
CJ
Read
Exodus 16:9-16
Read the passage aloud. Have fun pronouncing man-hu in different ways. If you'd like, read the expanded passage to get a picture of the complaining that came before this and the obsessive hoarding that came after (Exodus 16 from The Message). Both give us a picture of the neediness of the Israelites at this time.
Thinking
Read the passage again slowly, pausing to feel each emotion of the Israelites:
- the deep neediness of complaining
- the excitement of seeing the glory of God visible in the Cloud
- the perplexity of seeing this strange bread from heaven
- the satisfaction of having enough
Pray
If you haven't formally complained to God about this matter, do so. Ask God to show you how he has provided you with enough, even though you still might wonder.
Live
Sit in the quiet and feel God's "enoughness" in your body. Where do you feel it? In arms that are full? In a quiet mind? In a stomach that feels full? In muscles that work well? If you can really mean it, try delighting in this enoughness.
CJ
2.18.2010
Day 4: Learning to Pay Attention
Read
Exodus 3:1-6
Think
I have experienced God in a unique manner several times in my life. I remember being at the ocean in Souther California while on vacation with my parents and sister, gazing out of the overcast sky and rolling ocean. I became overwhelmed as a sense of insignificance rolled over me. My burning bush that day was the ocean and God was reminding me of His holiness and power. I was teaching the high school Sunday School class and one Sunday, I had not prepared for it. I grabbed my Bible and we started discussing our way through Romans 8. My burning bush that day was a group of teens and God spoke and moved through all of our lives that day.
I have never really understood why God said or what He meant when He said, “Remove your sandals from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground,” but I have heard Him say to it me before. I was the worship leader at my church and remember several worship services where the Holy Spirit was moving, people were being saved and healed and I distinctly remember hearing God say to me, “Remove your shoes from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground.” It felt so natural and right to do in those circumstances.
CJ
Exodus 3:1-6
Think
I have experienced God in a unique manner several times in my life. I remember being at the ocean in Souther California while on vacation with my parents and sister, gazing out of the overcast sky and rolling ocean. I became overwhelmed as a sense of insignificance rolled over me. My burning bush that day was the ocean and God was reminding me of His holiness and power. I was teaching the high school Sunday School class and one Sunday, I had not prepared for it. I grabbed my Bible and we started discussing our way through Romans 8. My burning bush that day was a group of teens and God spoke and moved through all of our lives that day.
I have never really understood why God said or what He meant when He said, “Remove your sandals from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground,” but I have heard Him say to it me before. I was the worship leader at my church and remember several worship services where the Holy Spirit was moving, people were being saved and healed and I distinctly remember hearing God say to me, “Remove your shoes from your feet. You’re standing on holy ground.” It felt so natural and right to do in those circumstances.
CJ
2.16.2010
Day 3: A Picture of Forgiveness
Read
Genesis 50:15-21
Think
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
Pray
I have been on both ends of forgiveness. There have been points in my life where I know people intended me harm but God used that situation for good, either to bless or teach. My dad has said that until you take someone off your hook, God can’t put them on His – meaning He won’t do what He needs/wants to until we’ve done our part and forgiven that person for what they did. There have also been points in my life where I have sinned against people. If someone has the grace and mercy to forgive you something, no matter how grievious it was, it’s a reminder of the forgiveness God has extended to us, even when we don’t deserve it.
After reading this scripture several times this morning, I believe God is reminding me that I’m forgiven and that He wants me to live for Him now and not in the past.
CJ
Genesis 50:15-21
Think
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
Pray
I have been on both ends of forgiveness. There have been points in my life where I know people intended me harm but God used that situation for good, either to bless or teach. My dad has said that until you take someone off your hook, God can’t put them on His – meaning He won’t do what He needs/wants to until we’ve done our part and forgiven that person for what they did. There have also been points in my life where I have sinned against people. If someone has the grace and mercy to forgive you something, no matter how grievious it was, it’s a reminder of the forgiveness God has extended to us, even when we don’t deserve it.
After reading this scripture several times this morning, I believe God is reminding me that I’m forgiven and that He wants me to live for Him now and not in the past.
CJ
2.15.2010
Day 2: Wresting In The Night
Read
Genesis 32:22-32
Pray
God, I desperately want to know you more. You are the creator of the universe and I want to know my Creator. You are the Giver of Life and I want to know life and that more abundantly. You are the Savior of the World and I want to know my Savior. You are the Risen Lamb of God and I want to know that resurrection power. You are Sovereign over everything and I don’t want to be in charge anymore. You are my Banner and I will follow You. You are the Bread of Life and I will look to You to provide. You are eternal and I am a vapor. You are the Holy Spirit and I want You in my everyday life. Amen.
CJ
Genesis 32:22-32
Pray
God, I desperately want to know you more. You are the creator of the universe and I want to know my Creator. You are the Giver of Life and I want to know life and that more abundantly. You are the Savior of the World and I want to know my Savior. You are the Risen Lamb of God and I want to know that resurrection power. You are Sovereign over everything and I don’t want to be in charge anymore. You are my Banner and I will follow You. You are the Bread of Life and I will look to You to provide. You are eternal and I am a vapor. You are the Holy Spirit and I want You in my everyday life. Amen.
CJ
2.13.2010
Day 1: Desire for Reconciliation
Read
Genesis 3:1-10
Think
Lately, I’ve felt like my relationship with God has been lacking. Yeah, I’ve felt Him move at church and in my small group’s discussions but it’s felt like I’ve just been going through the motions (great song, by the way). God tells us to give of our money, so I give. God tells us to use our talents, so I use my talents. God tells to worship, so I worship. But after reading Genesis 3:1-10, I wonder if I’ve been doing just enough to hear God because I’m really scared of what He might do if He came close, so I hide from him. My small group has been going through Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love. Chapter 4 talks about how lukewarm Christians want to be in control and play it safe. But there’s a cost to following God. 1 Chronicles 21:24 states: “But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take from the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” I feel like my relationship with God so far has cost me nothing. It’s scary to say this, but I’m ready for God to move in my life, to know His crazy, overwhelming love, and to respond to it with all that I am.
CJ
Genesis 3:1-10
Think
Lately, I’ve felt like my relationship with God has been lacking. Yeah, I’ve felt Him move at church and in my small group’s discussions but it’s felt like I’ve just been going through the motions (great song, by the way). God tells us to give of our money, so I give. God tells us to use our talents, so I use my talents. God tells to worship, so I worship. But after reading Genesis 3:1-10, I wonder if I’ve been doing just enough to hear God because I’m really scared of what He might do if He came close, so I hide from him. My small group has been going through Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love. Chapter 4 talks about how lukewarm Christians want to be in control and play it safe. But there’s a cost to following God. 1 Chronicles 21:24 states: “But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take from the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” I feel like my relationship with God so far has cost me nothing. It’s scary to say this, but I’m ready for God to move in my life, to know His crazy, overwhelming love, and to respond to it with all that I am.
CJ
2.12.2010
Day 0: The Beginning
In response to a discussion question at my small group last night, I've decided to blog my way through Eugene Peterson's (uncommon) devotional The Message//Remox: Solo. It uses an ancient practice (which I love learning about) called "lectio divina," or divine reading. It provides 4 tools to dive into each day's assigned reading. They are:
Read - Uncover biblical wisdom and revelations as you learn to read without the typical limitations that often cut Bible reading short.
Think - Immerse yourself in the passage as you place yourself in the story or meditate on words and phrases.
Pray - Connect with him through listening prayer and praise as you encounter new ways to communicate with God.
Live - Rest, reflect, or do as you discover how to take the Word with you throughout the day.
(taken from amazon.com's description of the book)
I will post my responses to 1 or more tools each day. Feel free to
comment, or better yet, start your own journey through scripture and
closer to God and His crazy love.
CJ
Read - Uncover biblical wisdom and revelations as you learn to read without the typical limitations that often cut Bible reading short.
Think - Immerse yourself in the passage as you place yourself in the story or meditate on words and phrases.
Pray - Connect with him through listening prayer and praise as you encounter new ways to communicate with God.
Live - Rest, reflect, or do as you discover how to take the Word with you throughout the day.
(taken from amazon.com's description of the book)
I will post my responses to 1 or more tools each day. Feel free to
comment, or better yet, start your own journey through scripture and
closer to God and His crazy love.
CJ
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