A Weekly Walk in the Word

Exodus 26:36-37 For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen – the work of an embroiderer. Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

God instructed Moses with a detailed pattern of how to construct the tabernacle and build its contents with exquisite materials. He chose Bezalel and “filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”

The creative abilities we have been given take the time to develop. I took an embroidery class this past week. These are all opportunities for the Spirit of God to express his artistry through us. God intends for all expressions of art to draw us into deeper fellowship with him. He is the ultimate creator of beauty, and being in his image means we are to create beauty as well to glorify him.

How do you share your creativity with the world?

Matthew 5:43-44  Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 19:19  Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Luke 6:32  If you love those who love you, what credit is that you you? Even sinners love those who love them. 

John 13:34-35  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 15:13  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 13:9 and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Acts 20:28  Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

What does church look like for you?

Who has been your shepherd?

How has the church impacted your life?

How have you impacted the lives of those who do church alongside you?

May the Holy Spirit be in you as you become the church to others.

Mark 12:41-44  Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”

The peasant widow gives from her scarcity. She is stretching herself, even denying herself because she realizes that the source of her provision is not the coins. Her source is God. She is confident that he will provide. Jesus sees her unselfish, faithful heart and knows her giving is more.

What is your source of provision? Is it the coins in your savings account, your job or processions, or is it Jesus?

Mark 7:5-8  So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with unclean hands?” Jesus replied, ” ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Spending time in the Word is time well spent. I am reading the Bible in chronological order this year with a group from church. The New Testament readings began in the chapter of Mark. Mark teaches how Jesus lived on earth as He walked along side ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. He instructs us to follow Him, not traditions designed by man. Jesus continues to walk among us every day, doing extraordinary things.

Listen to Him.

Learn from Him.

Follow His example.

Psalm 19:1-4  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. 

God is everywhere. Last week we visited our daughter in Scottsdale, Arizona. We took a day trip to Sedona. As we meandered down the road, Hannah said “Mom, do you see it?” And there it was! A simple yet elegant cross set in the red rock formations. It was breathtaking. He hiked up a steep hill to discover Chapel of the Holy Cross. The chapel was small, but the views were huge. They were something from out of this world. The hand of God was evident in that place.

Where have you seen God lately? Share your God sightings with the world!

Psalm 23  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Earlier this week we received the tragic news below about my cousin’s family. Please pray for healing that can only come from God as Brooke and Hendrik remain in the hospital. Pray for peace and love and strength for this beautiful family……..

Our family has been dealt a huge tragedy today. We received news this afternoon that Eric’s sister Brooke had been in an accident with their 3 children.

This is an unspeakable/unfathomable tragedy.

We lost our sweet nephew James(4) and sweet niece Natalie(2).

“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”  – Dr. Seuss

Another Christmas has flown by with lots of family, food, and fun. It seems like just yesterday the kiddos were small and now they are all grown. This week we transition into a new decade. Take time to remember the past as you choose what is important in 2020.

My important task is to join a group at our church who are reading the entire Bible in 2020. We are using a chronological reading plan to help the readings flow. I am beyond excited to being this adventure with my friends. What important task will you tackle this year before it gets late so soon?

Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

May you enjoy the birthday celebration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:1-20  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the in. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” so they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child., and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

As you ponder these verses, consider with whom you will share the good news of Christ’s birth. Be a shepherd this week!