Exodus 34:1-35:9, Matthew 27:15-31, Psalms 33:12-22, Proverbs 9:1-6

What God said to me – Doing things the wrong way is always harder in the end than following the instructions and doing it right the first time.  Have you ever tried to put something together thinking you knew exactly what you were doing, and you broke it because you didn’t do it right – so you had to buy another one and start over?  When I gave Moses the Law the first time, I gave him the tablets, and I wrote on them with My finger.  Moses and the people of Israel didn’t have to “do” anything but receive it and obey it.  However, because of Israel’s disobedience the tablets were broken and three thousand men died.  I forgave them and gave them new tablets, but this time Moses had to cut them out of stone himself and this time Moses had to write the words of the covenant on the tablets himself.  There is a cost to sin and there is always a price for disobedience, even when you come around and do the right thing eventually.  Remember this when you know there is something you are supposed to do – don’t hesitate – obey – as hard as it may seem to do now, it will be harder later and the price will be higher.

Exodus 32-33, Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalms 33:1-11, Proverbs 8:33-36

What God said to me – On the night My Son, Jesus, was arrested and tried, his most vocal and staunchest disciple, Peter, denied Him three times.  The last time bystanders said, “Surely you are one of them, for even the way you talk gives you away.”  Although Peter vehemently denied it, it was true.  It should also be true of you – not because of your accent, but because of the things you say and the way you express yourself – it should reveal that you belong to Me.  Your words should be kind and encouraging and not mean or coarse.  You should be known for talking about Me and acknowledging My goodness and care for you.  Moses said that the thing that distinguished Israel from all the other nations of the world was My Presence with them.  This should also be true of you.  You may not have a cloud by day and a fire by night to demonstrate My Presence, but you have My Spirit within you and your joy and peace in every circumstance are visible demonstrations of My Presence in you.

Exodus 30:11-31:18, Matthew 26:47-68, Psalms 32:1-11, Proverbs 8:27-32

What God said to me – Training horses to go as you direct is not easy.  If you are familiar with horses or watched their breaking in a movie, you see where they buck and fight against the trainer.  Some never respond willingly and always have to have a strong bit and tight reins to keep them in control.  Others respond to their trainers eagerly and eventually don’t even need the bit, but just a gentle nudge of the knee of the trainer to turn and go in the desired direction.  That’s My desire for you.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  Don’t be as the wild horse and fight against the bit.  My prophet, Isaiah, cried out to Me, “here am I send Me Lord”, but My prophet Jonah ran from Me.  In the end they both went where I planned for them to go, but one submitted to My gentle nudge, eager to please Me and the other fought against the bit and had to be disciplined.  Which one are you?