Sunday (2/27)

This Your Faith Journey devotional has been walking through the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus, during January and February. This week we will conclude our time in Exodus. There will be opportunities to continue reading more Old Testament books after the Lenten season in March and April. Since Exodus is a continuation of the story of Genesis, if you did not read the book of Genesis you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project videos about it to help you understand the book more clearly. The videos are available on YouTube:

Overview Genesis: 1-11 by the Bible Project:

 

Overview Genesis: 12-50 by the Bible Project:

 

*If you haven’t already, you’re encouraged to read Exodus chapters 1 thru 16 or watch the Bible Project video about the first 18 chapters. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Exodus: 1-18 by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. In regards to the verses you read, what do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. How do I see myself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

6. What do these verses reveal about God?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible…

A Study Bible is a very helpful tool for understanding each book of the Bible. They include information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more.

The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (2/28)

Read the following verses to begin your time with the God:

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;

you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever. – Psalm 118:28-29 NRSV

 

If you haven’t already, you are encouraged to watch the following Bible Project video about the first eighteen chapters of Exodus. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Exodus: 1-18 by the Bible Project:

 

Read Exodus 17. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, including what you will do, or what you have already

done, the people you will be with, or those you already were with.

 

 

Tuesday (3/1)

Be silent for a few minutes as you seek to be with God using a physical posture that is helpful. Consider focusing on each breath, knowing that the Lord has provided the air we breathe and He is as close to us as the breath in our lungs.

 

Read Exodus 18. You are encouraged to use the suggestions and questions on the list from the Sunday portion of this devotional during your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)
• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (3/2) Ash Wednesday

Read the following verses to help you to praise the Lord:

Blessed are you who enter in GOD’s name —

from GOD’s house we bless you!

GOD is God, he has bathed us in light.

Adorn the shrine with garlands,

hang colored banners above the altar!

You’re my God, and I thank you.

O my God, I lift high your praise.

Thank GOD — he’s so good.

His love never quits! – Psalm 118:28-29 MSG

 

You are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the last half of the book of Exodus before reading chapter 19. The video is available on YouTube:

Overview Exodus: 19-40 by the Bible Project:

 

Read Exodus 19. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

*Today is the first day of the Lenten season. During these 40 days before Easter you are encouraged to give up something and/or start doing something that will help you to walk closer with Christ and grow as his disciple. Exodus 34 reveals that “Moses was with the LORD forty days and forty nights,” on Mount Sinai, “without eating bread or drinking water” (Exodus 34:28 NIV). Jesus also fasted for “forty days and forty nights” while he was in the wilderness alone with God (Matthew 4:2 NIV). Giving up things may include fasting from certain foods such as coffee or desserts, disconnecting from social media, not watching the news or certain shows, or giving up something else that prevents you from spending intentional time with the Lord. In regards to starting a new practice or developing a holy habit, faith practices include attending weekly worship services, observing a sabbath day of rest each week, praying and studying scripture daily, spending time silently with the Lord before you speak in the morning, giving to those in need, serving others like Christ served, boldly living as a witness of the living God, or focusing on one of Jesus’ virtues throughout Lent.

 

Pray about this Lenten season. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you so that you will know what to stop doing and/or start doing during these 40 days leading to Resurrection Sunday.

 

 

Thursday (3/3)

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine being on the top of a mountain alone with God as his presence covers you like a cloud. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, or kneel in awe of the God of miracles and the One who reveals himself to us in whatever way he chooses.

 

Read Exodus 20:1-22. How is God using the Ten Commandments to teach you, rebuke, correct, or train you for living as a righteous servant of the Lord? How do these commandments equip you for good works?

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (3/4)

Read the following verses to praise and thank the Lord:

You are my God, and I will praise you!

You are my God, and I will exalt you!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 118:28-29 NLT

 

Read Exodus 32:1-29. As you read and study the verses you may find it helpful to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday portion of this devotional.

 

Pray that the Lord helps you and our congregation to live the AUMC virtues revealed in Christ, which includes humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love.

 

 

Saturday (3/5)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and be refreshed. You may need to begin by setting aside an hour on Saturday or Sunday to develop a new habit of observing the Sabbath. It might be helpful for you to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each weekend until you are eventually able to worship and rest an entire day each week.

 

Read Psalm 90, which is called a psalm of Moses. You may find it beneficial to return to this Psalm throughout the day. You could listen to one translation of the psalm from the YouVersion Bible App in the morning as a way to connect your day to God from the start, then read the psalm from a different translation during dinner or before going to bed.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to find a place where you can quietly be alone for at least ten, twenty, or up to thirty minutes. During your time of solitude and silence with God, you may want to lay down, sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, or go for a walk. During the solitude, silently listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

For many believers the Holy Spirit does not speak in an audible voice. Instead, the Spirit will place a thought, phrase, verse from scripture, song, image, person, or idea in your heart and mind. Notice the physical sounds you hear and the way your body feels during this time of silence. Try to shut out the thoughts of to-do-lists, plans for the day, etc. Simply be with God. Afterwards read the Bible verses listed below as a conclusion of the study of Exodus.

 

Read Exodus 40 to finish your journey through this Old Testament book.

 

Spend some time thinking about how you saw, heard, or experienced God working in your life this past week. What did you learn about yourself, God, or others? Consider writing your answers in a journal or spending some time talking to your spouse, another family member, or friend.

 

Pray in response to the Lord. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your time of prayer.