Sunday (2/20)

Jesus’ earliest disciples had a living relationship with the holy scriptures. Those of us who are Jesus’ followers today need a living relationship with The Holy Bible too. As part of our living relationship with the Bible, we are reading and studying The Old Testament in 2022. This Your Faith Journey devotional is providing you with a reading plan to help you to read and study much of the Old Testament this year. Throughout January and during part of February, we have been reading and studying the book of Genesis. Last week we moved into the second book of the Bible, Exodus. 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 – 6. If you already read them, then begin reading chapter 7 on Monday.

 

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. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

4. What do these verses teach me about myself?

5. How do you see yourself 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. Are you using 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 (2/21)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

Yes, our God is merciful.

The LORD preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

– Psalm 116:5-7 NKJV

 

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 6:28-7:13. 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 (2/22)

Read the following verses as a way to set your focus upon God:

The LORD is merciful and righteous;

our God is compassionate.

The LORD protects simple folk;

he saves me whenever I am brought down.

I tell myself, You can be at peace again,

because the LORD has been good to you.

– Psalm 116:5-7 CEB

 

Be silent for a few minutes to turn your heart and mind towards the Lord as you seek to be with him. You may find it helpful to sit, lay down with your face towards the ground, kneel, or walk during this time.

 

Read Exodus 7:14-9:7. 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 (2/23)

Read Psalm 116:5-7 from whichever translation you prefer to prepare yourself for your time with the God. If the Holy Spirit guides you to focus on a word or phrase from the psalm, then let it roll around in your mind for a few minutes.

 

Read Exodus 9:8-10:29. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

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)

 

 

Thursday (2/24)

Read the following verses to focus your heart and mind on the Lord:

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

Yes, our God is merciful.

The LORD preserves the simple;

I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

– Psalm 116:5-7 NKJV

 

Be silent for a few minutes as you imagine that God is revealing himself and his

message to you from within a burning bush. 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 11:1-10 and 12:29-42. If you haven’t yet, choose a question or two from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray, offering thanksgiving and praise to God now and throughout the day.

 

 

Friday (2/25)

Read the following verses to prepare yourself for time with the Lord:

The LORD is merciful and righteous;

our God is compassionate.

The LORD protects simple folk;

he saves me whenever I am brought down.

I tell myself, You can be at peace again,

because the LORD has been good to you.

– Psalm 116:5-7 CEB

 

Read Exodus 13:17-14:31. 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 (2/26)

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 118. 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 & 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 continuation of the study of Exodus.

 

Read Exodus 15:1-16:35. Moses and the Israelites sang a song of worship to the Lord after they were set free from their enslavement in Egypt. Is there a song that comes to mind that you could read, listen to, or sing to the Lord today to help you express thanks and praise for what God has done for you, your family, or our congregation?

 

How are your needs being met through what the Lord provides? Do you thank him for providing for you? If not, begin thanking the Lord before eating your daily meals.

 

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, and others this past week? 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.