Today’s Passage – Exodus 33 – 35 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Luke 17 – 18; Proverbs 31; Psalms 1 – 5 (Jump start on February because it is a short month)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1
Read the “0131 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous post from today’s reading passage – “Stiffnecked,” “Ornaments,” and “Beaming.”
“And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, … And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; … And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. … The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.” – (Exodus 35:4-5, 10, 21-22, 29)
Notice in Exodus 35, how many times the word “willing” is used. There is nothing sweeter than to see the people of God doing what God has called them to do with a willing heart. Preachers love it when the people all want to pitch in to do the work of the Lord. Unfortunately, there is often not always this type of spirit within the church, which tempts us to use “methods of persuation” in order to accomplish the work that needs to be done. I must admit that there have been times that I have tried to “guilt” people into serving, and I may have even been successful at getting them to do things. Guilt may be effective for a short while, but it doesn’t last. If people are going to continue in service, they will have to have a desire to do so. If God’s work is going to be done the way God wants it done, it will have to be done by willing servants who are excited about serving and who are absolutely convinced that they are doing what God wants them to do.
Notice from this passage:
Just as God had an important project for the Israelites to give themselves to, He also has a big job for us to do today. The task is different from what the Israelites had to do, but the process for completing the task is the same. God tells us what to do – fulfill His Great Commission:
“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt 28:18–20)
“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)
God doesn’t just tell us what to do, He equips us to fulfill the task, giving each participant the gifts they need to do their part:
“5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:5–8)
In fact, God promised that He will supply every need that we have as we are serving Him:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
Willing servants don’t just serve individually—they strive together in unity. Notice what Paul taught the Church at Philippi:
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” – (Philippians 1:27)
Now, it is up to us to willingly give ourselves to the task that God has given us. Let’s do it. Let’s get excited about serving God! This week, ask God to show you one area where He has gifted you to serve willingly—whether teaching, giving, showing mercy, or going. Then step out in excitement, trusting that He will supply.
Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 30 – 32 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 28 – 29 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 25 – 27 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
Listen to Today's Passage - Exodus 22 - 24 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 19 - 21 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 16 – 18 Follow along on Blue Letter Bible…
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What a great blog today. I know I struggle with being willing to serve and doing it with excitement. Especially this time of year when it's bitter cold outside. I really needed this blog today. It's not about me, it's about serving HIM and letting him use me to reach someone else. Good stuff.