B90 Challenge ~ Day 7

Wow! One week of the challenge is complete!  This has been such an amazing experience already!  I'm learning so much and I enjoy being in the Word throughout the day!  What a blessing.

I had so many notes from the passages from Exodus.  It was hard to choose just one or two things for each day's readings.  Today, as I was completing Exodus, I was struck by this thought:

All of the rules for building the Tabernacle and worshiping, etc., allowed the Israelites to participate, to be the "Church" - as now, under grace, we are called to be His Church.  We are to build up the church, caring for each other, ministering to all, serving the Lord with our Holy Temple (our bodies).  We bring our offerings to Him and worship the God of all who is Mighty to save!  "and said to Moses, 'The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.' "  We have enough, from the Lord, by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, to do the work of the Lord, as He commanded!  Amen?  Yes, Amen!

B90 Challenge ~ Day 6

6/2/12

Another name for God: Jehovah-Nissi, The Lord is my banner

Exod. 18:1; Jethro shared his wisdom with Moses and supported him, helped him and showed him care.

Exod. 19:5 "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out fo all nations you will be my treasured possession."

Exod. 23:2 "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong." This spoke to me as a foreshadowing of the crowds who shouted "Crucify Him!"

B90 Challenge ~ Day 5

6/1/12

Today's reflections:

"God's Mighty Hand"  - I counted over 10 references to this.

Exod. 4:11-12; God gives us gifts/talents and teaches us to use them for His glory!

Exod. 14:4, 17; God says He will "gain glory" through the hardening of the hearts of Pharaoh and the Egyptians and by this, they "will know that I am the Lord."

B90 Challenge ~ Day 4

5/31/12

Today's reflections:

Joseph was treated unfairly by his brothers; but God blessed him richly.  I can't determine how people will treat me (even family), but I must remain faithful to the only One who matters and He will provide for me.

Benjamin: As the youngest brother (of the 12) he was protected and guarded by his father and his brothers.  In the end, he (Ben) is the means by which all 12 of the brothers and the father are reconciled; the whole family is reconnected.

(Gen. 42:36, 38) Jacob loses faith that God is in control of all things.  Eventually, Jacob HAS to let go of his control over Benjamin (and the situation) and put his faith in God that Benjamin will be protected by God and return to him (Jacob).

B90 Challenge ~ Day 3

Day 3 - Genesis 29-40

Jacob continues to be deceitful the whole time he works for Laban.

Leah tries to find favor and self-worth in having sons for Jacob.

Rachel is jealous and deceitful.

Reconciliation between family (Jacob & Essau) is possible – but, they were still trying to one-up each other!

I wrestle with God, as Jacob did, and yet, ask for His blessing (as Jacob did) rather than just submission, obedience and trust for His provision.

Bad deal for Dinah!  Poor thing!

More names for God: Jehovah Jireh/God provides (22:14), El Shaddai (35:11)

Essau/Edom = the father of the Edomites who later fight the Israelites

Joseph’s dreams to me reveal a true heart for God (someone who is truly listening)

Potiphar’s wife, a real gem!

B90 Challenge ~ Day 2

Day 2 - Genesis 17-28

I never paid attention to this before, the geneology of Noah (yesterday's reading) and Abram's family (Lot & his children by his daughters~ewe!) led to nations that played a major roles later on in the OT (Nimrod, who built Nineveh and the Moabites and Ammonites).

Things that make you go "hmmm?"

21:10-13; Ishmael-not a part of the inheritance but God will make him into a nation as the offspring of Abraham. God said to Hagar "Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." (v. 18)  Perhaps the turmoil with the Arab nations is a part of God's greater plan for mankind?

The passage that struck me the most today was from chapter 22; Abraham tested.  It still amazes me; actually I’m in awe of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God.  I truly don’t know that I could have taken my baby girl and bind her (v. 9) and place her on an altar to sacrifice her.  Favorite verse from that passage, “Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son’ “ ~v.8.  The passage goes on to speak of the angel of the Lord (most scholars note this as a reference to Jesus) called to Abraham and spoke of Abraham’s obedience and how Abraham and his descendants would be blessed because Abraham obeyed Him.  Sobering!  I am a part of that blessing!

I have to admit, I'm still spending too much time taking notes!  A page and a half in my journal of verses!  It took me over an hour (about an hour & 20 min) to get through day 2.  I’ve decided I will have to spilt the reading up, morning and evening and try NOT to spend so much time “studying” and just more time simply reading. 

Great day of reading and learning!

B90! Started today

Well, I started the Bible in 90 Days Challenge today.

I have to say, it's at breakneck pace!  But, I will break up the reading into at least 2 readings per day (morning and evening).  Another point of note for me. I'm so used to "studying" as I read; I write things down, read about a chapter at a time (sometimes less), in order to absorb, pray and learn to apply what I'm reading.  This pace doesn't really allow for that (I don't think), so I will be journaling and noting in my blog posts any verses that strike me as I read, so that I can reflect on them later.  Well!  Here I go!

Day 1: Genesis 1:1 - 16
v. 1:13 God provides everything
v. 15:1 "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."
v. 16:13 El Roi, the God who sees

I journaled more, but I'm trying to learn to pare down and not get too bogged in the "study" aspect, just read and learn.

Blessings!