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The book of Leviticus is a pretty tedious read, or listen, as the case may be. I’m interested to learn how many of the prescriptions related to health, germs, and limited medical treatment as it was known at the time. It’s also interesting that locusts were legit to eat. 

Leviticus 11:22-23 NLT

“The insects you are permitted to eat include all kinds of locusts, bald locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers. All other winged insects that walk along the ground are detestable to you.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Lev11.22.NLT

These words from Pharaoh in Exodus remind me of the way many politicians are treating public school teachers today. Just as the Israelites were, I am tired of this oppression and call out to the Lord for help.

Exodus 5:6-9 NLT

“That same day Pharaoh sent this order to the Egyptian slave drivers and the Israelite foremen: “Do not supply any more straw for making bricks. Make the people get it themselves! But still require them to make the same number of bricks as before. Don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy. That’s why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifices to our God.’ Load them down with more work. Make them sweat! That will teach them to listen to lies!””

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Exod5.6.NLT

God is, was, has always been and always will be. That is why God told Moses from the burning bush, “Tell them my name is ‘I Am.'”

Exodus 3:13-15 NLT

“But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Exod3.13.NLT

God calls us to follow Him completely, not just “going through the motions” but living for him 24/7.

Isaiah 29:13 NLT

“And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Isa29.13.NLT

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I am sure at least some of Joseph’s brothers wished later they had spoken up or spoken up more strongly in Joseph’s defense.

Sometimes people who share their dreams face strong opposition.

Genesis 37:18-20 NLT

“When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!””

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Gen37.18.NLT

These are verses from today’s men’s group lesson by Ray Vanderlaan in his DVD series. We are called to lead with words and specifically God’s Word, not by our own power or earthly power.

In the following verses, Moses disobeys God on several levels. The consequences are severe. One of the lessons for us is to lead by God’s Word, and not allow our frustrations and desire for personal recognition to change our adherence to God’s Word.

Numbers 20:10, 11 NLT

“Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Num20.10.NLT

“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord  his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. (Deuteronomy 17:18, 19 NLT)

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These are my notes from Mateen Elass’s sermon, “Winning As Many As Possible” on January 22, 2012. Read and follow Mateen’s blog on:

This was our verse today:

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT

“Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/1Cor9.19.NLT

Matthew 16 reminds us of the mission of the Church universal. In Orlando this past week, one of the conference participants reminded participants of our mission with this statement:

“The church’s mission is to depopulate Hell.”

We are called to be “the aroma of Christ.” Before we earn the right to be heard in sharing the gospel with our words, we need to live Christ’s calling out in our lives.

Those who are struggling in life are most likely to hear and respond to the promises of God.

We must cast our nets wide so the good news goes out to everyone, and especially those who seem like the scourge of society. They most need the word of hope and are most open to respond to Jesus.

In this passage Paul reminds us that we must “know our audience.” The gospel message does not change, it is the same message. But the way it applies to people’s lives does change depending on their context and needs.

Great story of a woman who had pinned down her dog and forced him to eat castor oil, instead of offering it in a way he linked and would eat voluntarily.

We need to recapture the urgency and high stakes of the human race, to share the gospel.

Mateen shared a powerful story about a dream he had about houses being on fire and needing to help others. He also shared a powerful video about evangelism, which I will share here if I can find it online.

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These are my notes from our spiritual parenting class at church on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. We are reading and using the DVD series for “Spiritual Parenting” by Michelle Anthony.

When we need to correct our children, we need to focus on the end goal. Healing and spiritual course correction are our goals, not punishment. Disciplining is and should always be purposeful.

This leads to a harvest of righteousness and peace. Our next step after the pain of discipline is strengthening feeble arms and knees. Letting our children know this action does not and will not define them.

Pain and brokenness which follows discipline can make us disabled. Our kids (and we ourselves) need tools to deal with the challenges of life to walk on a level road. We must make margin in our lives.

Hebrews 12:11-13 NIV

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Heb12.11.NIV

“Shock and appall” cue our children to acceptable behavior, but it can send kids both into hiding and into shame and guilt.

The fact that our children are sinful shouldn’t appall us. What do parents do that breaks kids’ trust in us?

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Beth Moore spoke about these verses in a DVD program Shelly and I watched tonight.

These are verses which strike powerful chords with me. I do not have all the words to articulate and explain what these words mean to me. The reality of God’s Holy Spirit is denied by the world.

I testify to its reality and His reality.

Acts 2:17-18 NLT

“‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Acts2.17.NLT