Reflections of a lost sheep

  31 Jan 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: Exodus 25 Exodus 26 Matthew 21:1-22 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).  Are you daily entering Jesus’ presence through the veil? God instructs Moses about the many details concerning the construction of the tabernacle in Exodus 25-31. He says, “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen” (Exodus 26:31). The veil separates the Holy Place where the priest ministers daily from the Holy of Holies, which the High Priest only enters once a year. When Jesus dies the veil is ripped from top to bottom, signifying that all people have access to God’s presence. The writer of Hebrews exhorts us with the following invitation: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Heb...

  30 Jan 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: Exodus 22 Exodus 23 Exodus 24 Matthew 20:17-34 I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another (Isaiah 42:8).  To whom do you seek to ascribe glory? Moses depicts God’s glory, “The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Exodus 24:17). Jesus unveils His glory to Peter, James, and John, being transfigured before them (Matthew 17:1-2). Yet in conjunction with their mother, James and John seek their own future glory. They desire to sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom (Matthew 20:21). Jesus explains that He would be mocked, scourged, crucified, and resurrected (Matthew 20:19). Matthew immediately uses the adverb of time, “then,” capturing the timing of their selfish request (Matthew 20:20). Our Lord reveals that His own future status is predicated upon His service by ...

  29 Jan 26 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One Readings: Exodus 19 Exodus 20 Exodus 21 Matthew 20:1-16 So the last will be first, and the first last (Matthew 20:16).  Are you living as the last made first? God chooses Israel for Himself not based upon her merits. Moses writes, “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7). He tells them as a result of His choice, “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). God’s favor toward Israel should produce a humble, loyal, and obedient people. Jesus’ teaching on the landowner should likewise impact us (Luke 20:1-16). He paid the workers the same pay whether they labored all day or a short time. Moreover, He shocks all the workers by paying the laborers who came last, first (Matthew 20:8).  Employment Point:  Choose the rearmost to be the...