Week 40 - October 25 - Merv Miller

Exodus 29.30

This is, I have to honest, one of the chapters that I must have read over half asleep or totally inattentive because I just didn’t feel that there was anything practical for me in it, just a long list of seemingly random rules and procedures to adhere to. But in the 3rd century BC the culture was very familiar with sacrifices. It’s what priests did. Most communities had god’s and priests for that matter. Their priest may have had a specialty like making sure the crops were good or lightning didn’t strike or whatever but the Israelites worship was about God’s presence among them. Here are the last words of this chapter: “I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of Egypt so that I could live among them.”

Chapter 30

Here’s an interesting verse, again the last verse : “Never make this incense for yourselves. It is reserved for the LORD, and you must treat it as holy. 38 Those who make it for their own enjoyment will be cut off from the community."

Is it possible that we create worship for our own enjoyment? Once in a while I hear people say “ I don’t like that song” What they may mean is that personally I don’t prefer that song. But really the song isn’t for you, It’s for God. The last verse in Chapter 30 reminds me of that.

Psalm 40

About 300 years separate the Exodus narrative from the writing of the psalms. In this Psalm the writer in trying to make sense of the religious heritage of Moses. And comes to a conclusion in verse 6: “You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand – you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.” Does this reveal an evolution of faith and understanding of what God really desires from us as His children?

Ecclesiastes 9

Solomon was a philosopher. He observed life objectively and it left him with questions. That’s the nature of Philosophy; it often leaves you with more questions than answers. But I love to hear what they have to say. This verse caught my attention for some reason: “the quiet words of a wise person are better than the shouts of a foolish king.”

Acts 19

I think it’s interesting that Paul gave up trying to teach spiritual truth in the synagogue at Ephesus and moved his teaching to a secular venue. His ministry there became so successful that it disrupted the economy in the town by putting idol builders out of business. What business could we put out of business in this town because of changed lives?

Week 39 - October 18 - Robyn Watts

Exodus 27-28

As I read the description of how the Israelites were to build the Altar as well as how they are to make the clothing for the Levites I am struck by a few things...

1. God is in the details. If He cared enough to dictate the very best craftsmanship for a tabernacle and clothing.. how much more does He care about the tiny details of our life?

2. God required the Israelites to give Him their best. And He would do (and had done) the same.

3. The place where God resides within the Israelite community was to be special, set apart, holy.... the place where Christ resides now should be the same.... "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
(1 Corinthians 6:19)


Psalm 39

Nice! I think we've got this one covered! :-)


Ecclesiastes 8

"Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance." vs.1

This chapter reminds me judgement is not in my hands.... I will not always understand the reason behind things that happen here on Earth. But, I can trust in the One who does, who Was and Is and Always Will Be.... (breaking out into song here...)


Acts 18

It is amazing to me how Paul just never gave up. He continued to do what God asked of him, even though it seemed impossible (at least, that's what it seems to me as I only read it, not live it.). However, we do see a bit of frustration here in chapter 18. Paul is just fed up. He gets a word directly from the Lord though and is encouraged on with the task before him and Paul ends up staying a year and a half in the place where so many people hate him (of course, everywhere Paul went people hated him...). I get mixed feelings when I read about Paul. On the one hand, I get reved up, thinking... "I'm willing to do anything for you God!" (think... Peter!) On the other hand, I look at what Paul had to endure and am not so sure that's what I really want! Ultimately, like Paul... I think we need to obey whatever it is God is asking us to do at the time... He will provide what we need to accomplish it. Paul's "mission" was to spread the news of Jesus to Jews and those who weren't Jews. What's your "mission" right now? This hopefully is more clear after the past 30 days!

Week 38 - October 11 - Doug Mathers

Exoldus 25-26
What is the connection between the list of acceptable offerings (25:1-7) and the rest of the chapters?

How does this relate to our gifts, sacrifices, and use of abilities?

Read 25:8 - What kind of "sacred residence" is God looking for today?

Psalm 38
This Psalm of David is written when David was feeling the wieght and guilt of his own sin. As you read it, try to identify the different effects his sin had on his life. Have you ever felt that way? What was the key for David's recovery? Do you think Christians should ever feel the way David did? Why or why not?  (I John 1:9)

Ecclesiastes 7
How does our 30 Days To Live series relate to the opening 14 verses of this chapter? What central truth about humanity does Solomon observe in the rest of the chapter? Thus the need for a savior.

Acts 17
Consider, why would a church want to name itself after the followers of Berea? (As in the "Berean Church" - we have one such church in town).

What bothered Paul as he walked through Athens? Do you ever get bothered as you walk through Rochester? or through our television stations?

What ingenious strategy did Paul use to speak to people in Athens? How can we do the same as a church and as individuals?

Week 37 - October 4th - Dan Swartz

Has is ever struck you that bog and blog are only one letter difference? One could easily spend a fair amount of time in either (and with only 30 days to live...)


Psalm 36

The first half of this psalm points out the wickedness of sinners, in some depth. I find it useful to remember I was there, and am still being transformed by God's saving power. The psalmist notes that these sinners don't even seek to turn from their ways. It really takes God's intervention in our lives to turn to him. Otherwise, we never would've bothered.

The second half is a praise song. Many of the verses have been used in contemporary choruses and popular Christian bands (so that's where Third Day got some of their inspiration).


Ecclesiastes 5

How do we reconcile verse 3 (don't be hasty in bringing matters before God) with the New Testament admonition to bring all our concerns/prayers/praises to God?

The futility of wealth section is especially appropriate for our culture, country, and city. With the current sermon series on 30 days to live, our small group recently had a good discussion about the struggle between saving verses hoarding (v. 13; being a wise steward verses greed), and the often fine line between the two that's difficult to distinguish. Much prayer and the council of wise and trusted friends are needed.


Acts 15

Fascinating to me is that the apostles felt circumcision was too great a burden for the new Gentile believers, but abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, consuming blood/meat from strangled animals, and abstaining from sexual immorality were considered not too burdensome. I suspect some of these requirements were for health reasons (for instance, circumcision had been thought to reduce sexually transmitted infections, however, recent studies indicate no benefit, rather abstaining from sexual immorality reduces sexually transmiited infections). Even today, many churches and Christians put additional burdens on those trying to come to faith. We sometimes speak Christian-ese (mainly when fellowshipping :-). Some denominations require baptism in a specific manner, etc. I'm glad Crosswinds tries to strip as many of these artificial church culture barriers away as possible.

I found it refreshing to see that believers can have "vehement" disagreements. Interesting that no wrongdoing/heart-attitude-adjustment-needed was attributed to either of the disagreeing parties.