Exodus 29-30 ; Proverbs 5:15-23 ; Mark 6:6-29 "Nathan at 12, I" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper God never forgets anything … except the forgiven sins of His children (Hebrews 8:12). Properly, we should say that He remembers everything, but He “forgets” by forgiving us of our sins and then “remembering” them no more” (cf., Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 8:12).  How can He remember so much?  Our minds work differently than God’s way of working, and with all ou

Exodus 27-28 ; Psalm 24 ; Mark 5:21–6:6 "Nadja Working on Her Term-Paper" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper All of today’s readings focus on our comprehensive need for personal and spiritual purity as a prerequisite to enter into and stand in God’s presence.  Truly and properly, we cannot comprehend the holiness of God, nor do we understand how unholy (i.e., impure and sinful) we actually are.  God dwells in inapproachable light which hides Him from u

Exodus 25-26 ; Psalm 23 ; Mark 4:30–5:20 "23rd Psalm" © by Eric C. Stricker - Original Ink & Watercolor Illumination on Parchment Today’s readings contain several important biblical principles that we need to apply to our hearts and lives.  In Exodus 25-26, we see God instructing Moses in a variety of worship issues that will become a special part of the Israelites’ lives from this point forward.  The Israelites are to bring offerings to God as their “hearts prompt them to

Exodus 23-24 ; Psalm 22:22-31 ; Mark 3:31–4:29 "Colorado Farm Scene" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Colored Pencil on Paper In Exodus 23-24, Moses continues to present various laws relating to justice and showing mercy to others.  In verse 1, he says, “Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.”  As we saw yesterday in our readings from Mark 2-3, it’s possible for us – whether knowingly or unknowingly – to add increased wickedness to already existing wickedne

Exodus 21-22 ; Proverbs 5:1-14 ; Mark 2:18–3:30 "An Eye, A Face, and A Hand" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper In Exodus 21-22, we find God’s general regulations for living – given specifically to the Israelites – but meaningful and useful for us all, both Jew and Gentile alike.  In chapter 21, we see the legal regulations that governed relationships between masters and servants (also slaves) and the processes for their redemption.  In Scripture, rede

Exodus 19-20 ; Psalm 22:12-21 ; Mark 1:29–2:17 "Multicolored Variation, II" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Mixed Media on Paper Today’s readings cover a broad variety of topics.  God’s Word is such a resource of treasures!  In Exodus 19-20, we observe the Israelites along their journey to Mt. Sinai.  This is a pivotal chapter both in Exodus and in their history; the Israelites are about to make a monumental choice that will affect their spiritual direction forever – and

Exodus 17-18 ; Psalm 22:1-11 ; Mark 1:1-28 "My Left Hand" © by Terri L. Stricker - Original Pencil Sketch on Paper We have already witnessed the Israelites’ whining in the wilderness (cf., Exodus 16:2).  Today, in Exodus 17-18, we see them “ quarreling  with Moses and grumbling  against him” (Exodus 17:2-3).  They ask him, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt?” (verse 3) – as if they had no interest in leaving Egypt.  How foolish and forgetful they were (and sometimes, we