One Year Bible, February 14

EXODUS 37:1-38:31
According to the NIV, there was over 1 ton of gold used in constructing the tabernacle, its furniture, and its implements, 3-3/4 ton silver, and about 2-1/2 tons bronze (brass). This is an illustration of heaven and of holy things, so obviously, they are precious. But it is also the dwelling place of God on earth - which is you and me (Exo 23:19). And it is a type of Jesus Christ, "in Whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col 2:9)

RESPONSE:   I can't even imagine that much gold. The tabernacle and Jesus both are beyond value. Truly spectacular - worthy of praise! And it was completed in nine months!

MATTHEW 28-20
The earthquake that the Marys experienced was probably caused by the gates of hell bursting open FROM THE INSIDE. Note: The first to see the empty tomb were WOMEN! And they were the first to bear witness concerning the resurrection.

Now here is an interesting dilemma. In Matthew 27:62-66, the chief priests and Pharisees demanded and actually provided extra guards on the tomb so no one could steal Jesus' body and claim He had resurrected. Now, in Matthew 28:11-15 it was those same people who claimed that is exactly what had happened! Right under their guards' noses, no less --- who were paid to give false witness.

Jesus' last words in Matthew are to infiltrate the systems of the world - establish a colony for the Kingdom on earth. "Go, make disciples, baptize, teach." How? Why? "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." ALL power. There is no reason to be ashamed of Christ crucified. "I am with you."

Not just the 11 disciples, but their successors (us), "to the end of the age."  "As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever." (Isaiah 59:21)

Christ the Mediator is setting up a kingdom in the world, bring the nations to be his subjects; setting up a school, bring the nations to be his scholars; raising an army for the carrying on of the war against the powers of darkness, enlist the nations of the earth under his banner.

(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

RESPONSE: When you put it like that, why am I so reluctant to say anything to people? God, Your promise is to put Your words in my mouth. And Your Spirit would be upon me when it is time to speak up. Help me to be aware of the opportunities to say Your Name to someone. Make me aware of when I can MAKE an opportunity to minister Your Presence to someone. Send me to someone who needs You.

PSALM 34:11-22
This Psalm is full of potency. David's Motley Crew get transformed to David's Mighty Men in 16 months, beginning RIGHT HERE. In verses 1-10 David invited them to rejoice with him. Now in verses 11-22 he tells them to learn from him. What is the basis for everything he taught them? "The fear of the Lord." Come into the cave and learn it. How? How do we learn the fear of the Lord? Through brokenness.  (The real purpose for discipline.)  For God to move unhindered in our lives, we must be broken. I am not talking about misfortune, although it may include that. I am not talking about anything physical or outward, although it may include that. I am talking about the removal of resistance in our hearts. Getting rid of stubbornness, arrogance, and most of all, of independence. Brokenness brings a deep sense of dependency on God for everything. NOW you are ready to learn. 

PROVERBS 9:9-10
Defending ourselves is a mark of immaturity. That is how and why a wise person learns from his mistakes - he receives correction and instruction. Spiritual darkness comes because of something I do not intend to obey or submit to. "The golden rule for spiritual understanding is not intellect, but obedience" (Oswald Chambers). "Knowledge of the Holies" refers to insight (light) about spiritual realities. "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." (Eph 1:18)

RESPONSE:   It is arrogant to resist God's Hand in our lives. But, it is easier to blame the devil for ALL misfortune and resist it. Even the stuff I caused myself. I have even resisted God's correction, thinking it was just meanness on someone's part. It takes a lot of maturity to recognize our own independence and to cling to God all the time. But, that will keep us from making some bad mistakes over and over and over. It seems that I learn a lot of things the hard way.