Sabbath Instituted

Monday, December 29, 2008: Exodus 16:4, 19-20

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

What was God’s tests for Israel? God wished to test Israel’s faith in believing that the manna would last one day only.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008: Exodus 16:23-24

And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

How did the test change on sabbath? Yes, because Israel now had to believe that the same manna would last two days without stinking or breeding worms.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008: Exodus 16:32-34

And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

What happened to the memorial manna that was to be placed near the testimony? It NEVER stank nor bred worms. It was to show future generations that God provided Israel with food in the wilderness.

Thursday, New Years Day 2009: Exodus 31:16-17

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

What did God call the sabbath? The sabbath was a sign between God and Israel. Commandments 1-3 were to God and commandments 5-10 were to man; all nine are irrespective of time. Only the fourth commandment applied to a specific day, one day out of seven.

Friday, January 2, 2009: Psalm 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

What prophetically would NOT happen? God’s Holy One, Jesus Christ, would never be corrupted while His body lay in the tomb or ever afterwards. The Jews could not enter the tomb on the sabbath; the sabbath prevented them from corrupting the tomb.

God Manifested

Monday, December 22, 2008: Romans 16:25–27

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
What mystery was kept secret since time began but is now shown to mankind? God, alone wise, glorified in Christ Jesus.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008: 1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.
What begins the mystery of Godliness? God was manifested in the flesh.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008: 1 John 1:1–3

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
How was the Word of life manifested? In the Father (unseen) and in His Son, Jesus Christ (seen)

Thursday, December 25, 2008: 1 John 4:9

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
What was shown to us when God sent His Son into the world? God’s love for us was manifested in that first Christmas day. Have a very merry Christmas!

Friday, December 26, 2008: 1 John 3:5

And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
Why was God’s Son born? He was born to take away our sin.

Angels and Mankind

Monday, December 15, 2008: Luke 1:11–13

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Background: Zacharias was one of the priests performing his duties inside the Holy place of the tabernacle. No one else was allowed to be anywhere near.

Why was Zacharias afraid? Wouldn’t you be afraid if a person suddenly appeared in an area where only you were supposed to be? Furthermore, this person knew you, your wife, and told you that you would have a son and name him John!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008: Luke 1:18–20

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

Why was Zacharias reply inappropriate? It is not too difficult to know that a woman is pregnant! Such a dumb reply deserved the punishment he received.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008: Luke 1:26–32

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

What did it mean, in those days, to be ‘a virgin betrothed to a man?’ Engagement was then considered marriage. But the man had to build his own room inside his father’s property. When it was finished, he brought his wife into their new home to consummate their marriage.

(Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

In what way was Mary’s reply correct? Mary’s faith, and not her understanding allowed her to accept this rationally impossible declaration.)

Thursday, December 18, 2008: Luke 1:38

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

What did it mean that Joseph her husband was minded to put her away secretly? Public denouncement would have ostracized her from Israel. Joseph thought highly of her and decided not to do this, but not consummate their marriage.

Friday, December 19, 2008: Matthew 1:24-25

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Was Joseph’s answer correct? Yes, he immediately followed the vision that very night.

Inclusive/Exclusive

Monday, December 8, 2008: Genesis 22:18

In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
What is inclusive? God’s blessing will be on ALL nations of the Earth.
What is exclusive? Only through the seed of Abraham will this blessing come.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008: Isaiah 53:5–6

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
What is inclusive? Our transgressions, iniquities, punishment, etc.
What is exclusive? Only He was bruised and wounded for what we had done, not for what He had done!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008: John 1:12–13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
What is inclusive? As many as received and believed become the sons of God.
What is exclusive? He (Jesus Christ) must be received and believed.

Thursday, December 11, 2008: Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
What is inclusive? Whoever comes to God; whoever seeks Him.
What is exclusive? You must have faith that God is (exists).

Friday, December 12, 2008: Acts 16:30–31

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
What is inclusive? You and your household.
What is exclusive? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Focus!

Monday, December 1, 2008: Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Focus: how can we do this practically? Suggestion: pick one individual who bothers you and be gentle in dealing with that individual.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008: Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Paul separates emotions and thoughts. Focus: how can God’s peace guard both in us? Make sure you quickly pray when any kind of anxiety strikes today.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008: Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Focus: why should we think about these things instead of TV shows? We carry their violence and betrayals into our workplace.

Thursday, December 4, 2008: Philippians 4:9

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Focus: what is one example of doing things you have learned? Gentleness, anxiousness, thinking good thoughts, or anything else that applies this week.

Friday, December 5, 2008: Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Focus: what is one thing you can do through Christ today? Any personal answer is fine.