Author: joelnagel

Katrina Hofstetter

January 28, 2020

Exodus 25-27

Summary:  Chapter 25 begins with God giving Moses instructions for assembling the Ark of the Covenant and receiving His commandments for the people of Israel.  The rest of chapter 25 and all of chapters 26 and 27 consist of God giving Moses instructions on building the tabernacle and its altar and court. These passages highlight the importance of God’s commands and having a sacred place to worship Him.  God instructs Moses to adorn everything in gold, silver, and bronze, and to drape curtains of blue, purple, and scarlet.

What is one key verse?  The verse that spoke to me the most was in the very beginning in Chapter 25 verses 1 and 2:

“The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution.  From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.”

God spoke to Moses and told him to collect an offering from the people of Israel before even explaining what it was for.  He wanted the people to give out of the generosity of their hearts and not because there was a specific need.  

How does what you read change your vision of God?  God doesn’t need anything from us.  And he didn’t truly need the people of Israel to contribute gold, silver, and bronze in order for the Ark or tabernacle to be built.  I’m sure that God could have spoken the words and both would have just existed. But that’s not the point. God wants us to give the best of ourselves and of what we have (we learned that in the last few chapters).  He wants us to give willingly and from our hearts. These chapters have changed my vision of God by showing me that God can and will take every opportunity to help us grow and become more like Jesus.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?  I feel that I need to be watchful for opportunities where God is trying to help me grow (maybe through pain or difficult circumstances) and be moldable to His plans.  I also think that I need to develop more of a giving heart when I don’t see any specific need.

How will you Go With God because of this reading?  My plan is to be more mindful and intentional with my fellow brothers and sisters by reaching out and connecting, without being prompted by a known need.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters?  I thought of Jesus in these chapters when God described to Moses all of the precious ingredients for the Ark and tabernacle.  Clearly God wanted the finest materials used and I feel like this speaks volumes about how the Ark and tabernacle should have been treated and viewed.  

Ryan Hofstetter 

1.27.2020

Exodus 21-24

In Exodus 21-24 We see God distinguish Israel from everyone else in the world by providing laws for them, to help them standout and be different. The law teaches that protection for at risk classes such as slaves, widows, and orphans. The laws help to restrain evil by providing consequences for crime, punishments to fit every crime. The law teaches how we should treat everyone from neighbors to strangers to enemies. The law teaches us to remember what God has done for us and to celebrate what God has done. God reveals his promise and confirms his covenant.

What is one key verse? 

“You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.

Exodus 22:29

How does what you read change your vision of God?

God has provided for us in infinite ways. Ultimately Exodus 21-24 reminds me to treat others as myself. The laws that God gave Moses were supposed to create harmony amongst the people of Israel.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

Exodus 21-24 reminds me to love God and treat others as myself. To be dedicated in praising God and giving back to God with the treasure he has bestowed upon me.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

Exodus 21-24 reminds me to love God and treat others as myself. To be dedicated in praising God and giving back to God with the treasure he has bestowed upon me.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

When Moses talks about the treatment of widows and orphans in Exodus 22:22 it reminds me of when Jesus talks in Matthew 25:31-40 about what has been done for the least as been done for Him.

Dana and April Haynes

1.25.2020

Exodus 19-20

Exodus 19 and 20 introduce us to one of the most important events in all of human history, the giving of the Law… The Ten Commandments!
Probably the most important take-away from this passage is found in Exodus 19:5.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.”

Exodus 19:5

Once again God is stressing how much he loves his people and how he considers them a treasure and a possession. Read between the lines; nobody is going to mess with God’s people! However, there are conditions.

They must fully keep His covenant and obey him fully.
I don’t think I had thought about this particular passage before and it solidifies my conviction that we must always strive to obey what God is asking us to do. And… we can’t do it half heartedly. This is a challenge because we tend to want to take the easy way when the more difficult path is often where God really wants us. When we decide to do the thing that is more difficult great blessings often follow. 

Exodus chapter 19 & 20 set up a form of religion for Israel which, by the time of Jesus arrival, had become twisted and corrupt. When Jesus begins his ministry, he calls the people back to this standard, the standard of the Word, and challenges them to ditch the unnecessary and burdensome traditions which had replaced the form of true worship God had given through Moses.

Here’s something fun. Look at these two chapters and see how often God asks Moses to go up and down the mountain!. It’s a lot of climbing!

Bonus: Dana has written and filmed a great bible study series called A Faith That Obeys. It’s especially useful for studying with religious people. Check it out at afaiththatobeys.com

Kelsey McIlwain

1.24.2020

Exodus 16 – 18

In today’s reading we see how the Isrealites adjust to life in the wilderness after being delivered from Pharaoh by God. After their initial rejoicing in Chapter 15, the Isrealites are quick to doubt God’s goodness and ability to provide for their needs. They grumble to Moses and Aaron about their lack of food, and later, water, to which God faithfully responds with a daily serving of manna and quail, and water from a rock. We also see Joshua conquer the Amalekites, with Aarona and Hur holding up Moses’ hands when he was too tired to hold them up himself. Finally, Moses gets a visit from his father-in-law, Jethro, who helps Moses delegate his responsibilities as judge to trustworthy men so as to keep Moses from burning out.

One key verse from this passage is Ex. 16:11-12. 

“The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

Exodus 16:11-12

This passage stuck out to me as an example of the lengths God is willing to go to to assure His people of His faithfulness. Considering all that God had already done to deliver the Isrealites out of Egypt, it’s amazing to me that His response to their grumbling was one of graciousness and service instead of frustration. 

I think this changes my understanding of how God views me. It is easy for me to feel like a burden or disappointment to God whenever I don’t respond to challenging circumstances righteously. Even though I know God always desires for me to have a Biblical response when things don’t go as planned, this passage shows me that God doesn’t love me less when I fall short of His glory. Instead, He continues to take care of me in the hopes that I will grow to trust Him unwaveringly.

One way that I can “Go With God” from this reading is to take the time to remember God’s character in the midst of my next “hiccup” in life. I can pray, reflect, and trust in God’s faithfulness instead of dwell in anxiety, worry, and grumbling.

This passage made me think of when Jesus washed His disciples feet in John 13. Jesus was about to give Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world, He still decided to serve His disciples. To me, this mirrors the way that God was willing to provide for the Israelites in the wilderness even after all He had done to deliver them from slavery.

Kiana González Cedeño

1.23.2020

Exodus 13-15

In today’s reading, we see some amazing things happening. First, in chapter 13 God gives the command to consecrate the first born in honor of the covenant He made with His people. We then see the Moses part the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross and flee Egypt. In chapter 14, we see The Lord fight for the Israelites, and God overtakes the Egyptians that were persecuting the Israelites. Finally, we have the Song of Moses and Miriam, where they are worshipping and thanking God for His faithfulness. 

A verse that I find encouraging and important to reflect on as we think about our relationship with God is Exodus 13:21-22 where it says:

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people”

Exodus 13:21-22

These verses exemplify God’s incredible faithfulness to His people. We see in this chapter how He meticulously plans the course for the Israelites (Ex. 13:17), but more importantly guides them. This is a great reminder because sometimes obstacles in life seem lonely, or that God throws us in the middle of a hardship and just waits to see how we will do. As we go with God, these verses serve as a great reminder that the Lord will fight for you (Ex. 14:14) and will guide us in the journey that He has set out for us-we just need to be still and trust in Him (easier said than done!) Just as God went ahead of us to secure our journey, Jesus went ahead FOR us, taking up the ultimate battle against sin and emerging victories. 

I hope that these verses help you see God in a new vision and that it can offer a new perspective when it comes to strainously difficult journeys through hardship and challenges.

Jerry and Kim Jones

January 22, 2020

Exodus 11-12

Chapter 11 is about the final plague that God would visit upon the Egyptians: The Plague on the Firstborn. In this chapter, the Lord tells Moses that once this plague comes upon Pharoah, he will let the Israelites go free from their bondage as slaves in Egypt. He explains that He will visit the Egyptians’ homes at midnight and every firstborn son will die, including Pharoah’s, even the cattle! But the Lord promises that the Israelite households will be spared. In Chapter 12,  the Israelites are given extremely specific instructions on what they need to do in order for their firstborns to be spared, which has become known as The Passover. The Lord instructs that on the tenth day of the month, each man is to take a lamb, free from blemish, and take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when they should be slaughtered at midnight. Then they should take blood from those slaughtered lambs and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses. They are supposed to eat the meat of the lambs, roasted over the fire with bitter herbs, and unleavened bread. They are to burn whatever they do not eat. On that same night, the Lord will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and He will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. The blood is to be a sign to pass over their homes, and no destructive plague will come to the Israelites. The Lord gives the Israelites specific instructions to remember The Passover and to pass down the remembrance ceremony to their subsequent generations: the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared their homes when He struck down the Egyptians. At midnight that night, the Lord did as he said and struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, and all the houses were full of people lamenting over those dead in their homes. 

What is one key verse?

“But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.”

Exodus 11:7

How does what you read change your vision of God?

The story of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt by way of the plagues visited upon them is a well-known story to most Christians. Personally, this is a story we have read many times and saw more as a historical record of the Jews and how God brought them out of slavery. It didn’t have much personal significance. But today, when reading, we saw it differently. This verse helped us to realize that God’s focus is on His children. He wants us to understand how we, especially, have His favor – that He chose us and set us apart from the world. 

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

Lately, I (Kim) have spent a lot of time focused on others, on how they have wronged me in some way. But this reading made me think about how much God has brought me out of many struggles and challenges in my life already. It made me think about how I have a purpose and a future that He sees that I cannot yet see. 

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

This reading illustrates the need for me (Kim) to readjust focus. To keep my eyes plastered on God and his intricate instructions on how to move forward in order for His vision for my life to come to fruition. I cannot waiver based on how I feel. I just have to completely trust Him to bring me out of whatever comes my way.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Moses’ work helped to usher in a new era for Jewish people. They stopped being slaves and began a journey to a new land. This is similar to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. He was the “lamb without blemish” that was slaughtered so that death would “pass over” Christians. Jesus ushered in a new covenant that made salvation and entrance into a new, promised land possible. All true Christians are “covered by the blood” of Jesus’ sacrifice, just like the blood on the lintel posts of the Jews saved their firstborns from the death of the plague that visited the Egyptians. 

Eric &  Ellie Fox

1/21/2020

Exodus 7-10

These chapters recount God speaking to Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron.  They were to “tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.”  As you know from our reading the Israelites were slaves, suffering at the hands of the Egyptians.  God let Moses & Aaron know right away; Pharoah will not heed your warnings, in fact “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”  What ensues is a plethora of plagues, signs and wonders. We see Moses and Aaron doing “just as the Lord commanded them” over and over again.  We see them go to Pharaoh; tell him to let the people go, performing a plague, Pharaoh hardening his heart, then he cries uncle but as soon as God relents, Pharaoh harden’s his heart again. More of this on repeat…

What is one key verse?

“And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.” 

Exodus 7:3

We had to go there; feeling like it’s the elephant in the room. What can we learn from this repetitive example of Pharaoh hardening his heart?  As disciples/christians we like to separate ourselves from Pharaoh; he was on the other side, right … but as we read these chapters it sounded a lot like us; humans, christian, non-christian alike.  Hardening our hearts; putting up walls, refusing help, closing off our hearts, relenting only to harden our hearts again. We have a choice; allowing our heart to grow hard or choosing to allow God to move in our heart.  This is not a one time choice but repeats throughout our walk with Jesus.  

How does what you read change your vision of God?

He is the Lord and will always perform signs and wonders, we must look for them.  We want to go after opportunities to see God at work and let that soften our heart to His will.  

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

We are reminded that following Jesus is not a “one and done” decision. 

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

First up praying for God to open our eyes to His signs and wonders, secondly taking the time to let those moments or opportunities make an impact on our hearts and open our hearts wide.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

Responding to Jesus takes a soft heart. Acts 2:37 “…they were cut to the heart…”

John Demsky

1.20.2020

Exodus 3-6

After Moses has fled from Egypt to Midian he is tending the flock of his father-in-law. He brings the flock west and comes to the mountain of God and he sees a bush that is burning yet somehow not consumed. When he goes to investigate, God calls to him from the burning bush! God tells Moses that He has seen the affliction of his people Israel and that He is sending Moses to rescue the people from the tyranny of the Egyptians and Pharaoh their king. Moses doubts that the people will respond to him or that Pharaoh will agree to let Israel go. God reassures Moses that He will go with Moses and will provide Moses with powerful signs to show Israel and Pharaoh. Moses doubts his own power of speech; and to this God arranges for Moses to meet up with his brother Aaron so that Moses can tell Aaron the words God has given him and Aaron can speak them. Moses meets up with Aaron and the two go to the leaders of Israel who believe them and their signs and afterwards worship God! Moses and Aaron then go to Pharaoh who responds negatively saying that he does not know the LORD. Pharaoh is angered and increases the burden of Israel’s forced labor. The people of Israel respond with anger towards Moses; who now starts to doubt and asks God why he was sent if Israel is going to suffer more because of it.

“He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.””

Exodus 3:12

When Moses first doubts the task that God has given him to free Israel from the tyranny of the Egyptians God reassures him first with the promise of His presence. He promises Moses He will be there with him both during the daunting task and afterwards in celebration! God would not just leave Moses to his own devices but would be there to ensure his success.

Change vision of God- God reminds Moses multiple times that He is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. He has been God since the beginning of creation up until this point in history, has continued to be God throughout the ages up until our time now, and will continue to be God forever! It is so amazing to reflect on this as we go through the entire Bible in 2020. God has done so many amazing things throughout all of time and creation. God is still God in each new generation we read about and He is still faithful; He has been from the start and will continue to be forever!

Change vision of self or others-

We ourselves do not possess the power to accomplish what God asks us to do. We MUST rely on Him! He equips us and goes with us to whatever He has called us to do.

Action step- Focus on God, who He is, what He has done and is able to do; rather than focusing on myself and my own weaknesses and failures. Moses repeatedly questioned God’s decision to send him to Israel and to Pharaoh because he kept focusing on his own limitations thinking he wouldn’t be able to win over the people’s hearts for God or convince Pharaoh to let them go. He was not focusing on the words and signs given to him by God or even that he was going with God to do this!

Where did you see Jesus- In the burning bush! Colossians 1:16 says that “…all things were created through Him and for Him.” When Jesus walks on water, calms a storm, or feeds 5,000 people with only a few fish and loaves we see His mastery over His creation. We see the same power where God’s presence is burning the bush but it is not consumed.

Chris Carlson

January 18, 2020   

Exodus 1-2

Summarize what you read in one paragraph:

Exodus begins over 400 years after Joseph and his brothers have passed.  Egypt is under new leadership that is threatened by the rapid growth of the Isrealites.   In an effort to subdue them, they subject them to forced labor. However, the more they are oppressed, the more they multiply.   The king then orders the midwives to put to death any baby born a boy. The midwives disobey these orders out of reverence for God.   Pharoah then orders all of the people to throw baby boys into the Nile. Moses is born after these orders are given and his mother hides him for three months then places him in a basket near the Nile.   Pharoah’s daughter finds him and cares for him with the help of his own mother who nurses him. Moses grows up aware that he is a Hebrew living as an Egyption. Eventually he fleas to Midian. Exodus wraps up with the dealth of the Egyptian king and the Isrealites cry out to God in their slavery.  God hears their cries and remembers his covenant and cares for them.

So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous  And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Exodus 1:20-21

How does what you read change your vision of God?

It helps me see God as a father who loves me and blesses those who obey Him.

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others?

I will work hard to be obedient to God in all circumstances, regardless of obstacles.

How will you Go With God because of this reading? (What is an action step?)

I will work hard to be obedient to God in all circumstances, regardless of the obstacles that it may present.

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? (What made you think about Jesus?)

The kindness really made me think of the kindness Jesus showed in his ministry, even to those that others rejected.

Stacy Carstensen

1.17

Genesis 48-50

Summarize the days reading in one paragraph. 

The reading begins with Jacob on his deathbed. He blesses Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh and again we see the younger son receive the blessing over the older, though both are promised to be great. All of Jacob’s sons come to him and he gives them each the blessing they are to receive. After this, he dies and the sons fulfill their promise to bury Jacob in the field Abraham bought, where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah were buried. Now that their father is dead and buried, Joseph’s brothers are afraid Joseph will repay them for the evil they did. They ask for forgiveness and Joseph assures them he will take care of them and their children. Before Joseph dies he reminds his brothers that God will visit them and fulfill his promise. He has them promise they will bring his bones up out of Egypt. The book of Genesis ends with the death of Joseph. 

A key verse in these chapters is: 

Genesis 50:12 “Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them.” 

How does what you read change your vision of God? 

God’s plan is amazing and he will fulfill his promises. Just like Joseph reminded his brothers that God would visit them before he died, it’s a reminder to me too, that God will continue to be faithful. The reason for that is that he loves us so much! Even in these three short chapters God is teaching us to be grateful, to forgive, to obey and to remember Jesus in everything.  I see God as more relentless than I did before from this reading. 

How does what you read change your vision of yourself or others? 

It helps me see that I need to be happy and grateful with what God has given me and has let me experience in my life. I don’t need to expect or wish or long for things or experiences. His plan is perfect and his timing is perfect. My promise is in heaven and I just need to be content and be ready to praise him for any blessings he does give me on this earth. It also shows me that I don’t have to be perfect in order to obey God (Joseph’s brothers surely weren’t perfect, yet they still obeyed their father’s last wish) and I shouldn’t expect others to be perfect in their obedience either. 

How will you Go With God because of this reading? 

I will strive to be more grateful to God just like Jacob. It says in Genesis 48:11 that he never expected to see Joseph again but yet there he was getting to bless Joseph’s offspring knowing that God was the one that let him have that opportunity. I will also try to obey and not let hesitations or fear stop me. The key verse I chose reminded me that just as the sons obeyed their fathers commands, Jesus did too, and calls for us to imitate that! 

Where did you see Jesus in these chapters? 

I thought about Jesus the most in Genesis 50:15-21. Joseph’s brothers are afraid he will repay them for their evil so come asking for forgiveness down on their knees (we come to Jesus for forgiveness knowing we are sinners, not wanting to be repaid for our evil). Joseph wept for them and shows humility (Jesus has compassion on us and so much humility). Joseph speaks truth to the brothers, telling them God meant it for good (Jesus spoke the truth to his disciples about God’s will when he was to die on the cross). Joseph tells his brothers not to fear, that he will take care of them and their children (Jesus tells us that he is always with us and that the promise is for all who are far off). 

I hope this helps you see the bible with new vision!