Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalms 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13
Today is the 8th day of February welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I’m Brian it is wonderful to be here with you today around the Global Campfire. And we’ll collectively take the next step forward together in the Scriptures which brings us back into the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. And just by way of reminder we’re at Mount Sinai with the children of Israel. Moses on the summit and God is speaking giving him the laws that will shape and govern the people. Today, Exodus chapter 28.
Commentary:
Okay. So, Jesus has been talking about the end or the time of the end and He’s continuing that discussion. For example, yesterday there were a couple of stories, right, that showed us vigilance, preparedness, awareness, awake-ness. Today. He reveals something really important for us to understand about the kingdom of God and that basically is climbing the ladder towards some sort of notoriety or like even in ministry to become like a celebrity in some sort of way, like that’s not that impressive to God. This is God most high. But when we’re awake and aware and vigilant and understand that those…there are those who are less fortunate than us we’re to…we’re to try to help in whatever way we can, because in helping in this way we are doing it for God. This is tangible, concrete work for the Lord, and it’s done to the Lord. He receives it as if it was done to Himself or quoting Jesus, “whenever you did it for any of My people no matter how unimportant they seemed you did it for Me”, which helps us understand this idea that we are the hands and feet of Jesus in this world is more than a metaphor. And we could read this and go well, “how do I…how I quit my job, get my…like how do we dedicate our lives to this then? I want to do these things for the Lord.” And some people are definitely called in that direction, to use all of their lives seeking justice or provision for those who have none, which is beautiful. But what we’re being told here is not unlike what we were being told yesterday about vigilance and preparedness and awareness. If we are living our lives aware of more than what is going on in our lives only, like if we’re not self-absorbed in self-focused and sort of isolated, but rather aware, realizing that we are to live our lives as a living sacrifice to God then we realize that our lives posture is one of availability to help when we can where we can however we can. And what does that look like? “When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat. And I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me. When I was naked, you gave me close to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me. When I was in jail, you visited me.” It’s a posture of doing what we can when we encounter opportunity. And sure, we can boil this down and go, “well…that’s sort of the golden rule and everybody knows that.” But if we look at the world and the cultures that we live in we realize that we know this, and we know goodwill toward one another is a good positive thing and loving one another is a healthy good thing but we’re also programmed to think that it’s about us. And the more visible we are, the more powerful we are, the more rich we are, whatever this is what success looks like. This is what it looks like to make it in this world. What Jesus seems to be indicating here is that to make it in God’s kingdom is different. So, climbing the ladder of notoriety or whatever in this world is actually climbing in the wrong direction in God’s kingdom because in God’s kingdom there is no lack. It is much more of a “we”, a “we” are in this together than in an “I”, I what “I” am going to achieve and accomplish. And again, these are not like foreign concepts to the Christian faith. They’re foundational. So, the question then becomes, which kingdom are we operating in? What direction are we going in?
Prayer:
Father, once again, we invite You, we invite Your Holy Spirit in…into this question. Where are we going? Are we aware? Are we paying attention? What kingdom are we serving here? Where is our allegiance? And what needs to change? And what does this need to look like in our story? Because it can be different for each one of us and is different for each one of us? And, so, Holy Spirit come into this story that we are telling and help us to become intimately aware with the fact that when we do it for the least of these, we do it for You. And we pray this in the mighty name of Jesus who modeled this for us. Amen.
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Community Prayer and Praise:
Good morning Daily Audio Bible family this is Peggy in California. I have tried to make this recording at least a dozen times and can’t get through it. So, I’m going to try again. Before I do let me just tell you how much I love you all and appreciate this family. I’m calling today to ask for prayer for my son Mason who’s been struggling for a couple of years. We are coming to find out he’s been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. And I know he needs Jesus in his heart. He needs peace. So, I would pray for that and ask you too as well and I ask you to pray for his twin brother who this also affects. He…he tells us he feels what his brother feels. So, even though the struggle is not the same for him or he’s not dealing with it he feels it. So, he is dealing with it, I guess. Anyway, I would just really covet your prayers. And I just want to give a shout out to Annette from Oklahoma City. I just heard her on the February 4th podcast, and she really brightened my day. Can’t tell by the way I’m so emotional right now but she did. So, thank you. God bless you all.
Hello DAB family this is Thankful and Still and I was just calling in response to a lady on the January 29th community prayer and encouragement. I didn’t catch your name, but you were sharing that you are a year sober and recovering heroin addict and I’m just…I was so touched by your testimony. It gave me such hope for my loved ones for…for recovery and that God, when we lean on Him is going to take us through step by step. So, Lord I lift up this…this young lady who shared her testimony and I pray God that You would encourage her along Your path of just total surrender to You and…and dependence upon You God for…for every breath, for every thought, for every decision and for a godly lifestyle. It’s just so exciting and I…and I praise You God. I thank You for the work that You’re doing in her life, and I pray that You would surround her with others that that encourage her and live a life that is glorifying to You Lord. I thank You for her testimony and bless her in Jesus’ name. And Keira, I’m praying…I’m praying for your son Nish. I’m praying for this transition, you know, and…and for his decisions in this. Thank you for having faith too…and sharing, you know, and just know that I’m praying for you both. Again, just an amazing testimony of God's…of God’s hand in your life. So, thank you so much. God bless you.
Hello Daily Audio Bible people this is Nadine from Egypt. I sent before to lift my friends name in prayers and someone did and God listened and he was much much better. The cancer was healing, and everything was fine and then suddenly as if the devil is fighting over his spirit he collapsed. His lungs is not working. He is on a ventilator. I want to pray for God’s will to be done. Although deep inside I want him to be good and I want what I want for him but I’m so limited and I want you to help me and aid me in prayers, that my faith in Sammy’s life it’s a week but I know Sammy if he gets better, it’ll be a great testimony for Jesus. He’s a great man with a great character that affects everyone around him. I want you to help me and aid me in prayers for Sammy that even if he’s on sedation and he can’t feel anything that God will go and visit him, and the Holy Spirit will lift his soul and put him in a better place and let God’s will be done. But I really want him to be better. I’m so confused on this point. I want him to be better. I want what I want for him and his family but yet I want God’s will to be done. I want God to have mercy on him and mercy on his family. Please help me in prayers for Sammy from Egypt.
Bless __ DAB family this is Marcy from New Jersey. I just want to share this testimony with you. I know I’ve shared it in the past, but it just feel led in the Spirit to encourage someone that’s going through something today. 10 years ago, the doctor diagnosed me with lupus. While I was in hospital I was listening to Brian. I…I was listening to him before I got this diagnosis, so I continued to listen to him. And God healed me through that word. God healed me. God heals. The word of God is powerful. The word of God works if we work it. The only thing that gives God access to our situation, the only thing that allows the door to be opened where God can come in and reach us is our faith. We must grow in faith family. We need to move from a place of passivity where we’re just listening to Brian Reba scriptures. We need to put this scripture into practice. The Bible said let us not be hearers of the word only but doers. We must do the word. We must do the work that is required. God heals. God is still healing. He hasn’t rested from healing. I have never returned to that place of sickness. God has made me whole. He has restored me completely. I was on dialysis. I was recommended to have a kidney transplant. God showed up and healed me. I want to release this to somebody that may be going through the same diagnosis with lupus that you’re healed. Exercise your faith and receive your healing. Dave in the UK, I am praying for you. Remain in faith. Look to God not your situation. Remember to turn God for every little thing and God is gonna bless you. I’m praying for you…
Oh, heavenly Father please be with me, and I ask everyone to pray for me for my children and me. I’m all alone in this country and I have no one. I’ve gone through domestic abuse, and the scars are really deep. I’m still scared of my ex-partner. He still has control over me financially and has not given any help. I pray to the Almighty and to my heavenly father to please help in sorting out a few things which we are in the process of. Please pray for me. Please send your guardian angels so that they influence the spirit of my ex-partner so God can understand my situation and what is required. I ask everybody to please give your blessings and prayers so that what I desire for my children’s best interest may be __. In the name of Jesus, I ask. Thank you.