Today I’m sharing a teaching for First 5 from Hebrews 2. Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Hebrews 2:9-13

Hebrews 2:9 (ESV) “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”

When I was a kid, I wanted an older brother. I loved my younger brother and sister, but I wanted a big brother to go ahead of me, protect me and give me the inside scoop on how to handle the challenges of growing up.

In today’s passage, we learn that, in Christ, God gave us an “older brother” who went ahead of us into heaven and made it possible for us to follow Him there. In the previous verse, the author of Hebrews acknowledged that we don’t yet see the consummation of Christ’s victory. (Hebrews 2:8) We might grow discouraged as we wait for Christ’s return, but we find hope when we look with eyes of faith and see Jesus, the Savior who suffered for our salvation, secured our place in God’s family and will bring us into glory with Him.

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You can read the rest of the teaching here or in the First 5 app. I hope you’ll join us there for the rest of our study of the book of Hebrews!

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Today I’m sharing a teaching from Exodus in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Exodus 35:30-36:7

Exodus 36:1 (ESV) “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded.”

I was barely 20 years old when I learned God doesn’t gift all believers equally for all areas of ministry. I thought I knew my role at church. College students help with the youth group, right? But I was horrible at youth ministry. I was the most awkward person in the room. (Did I mention I was serving with junior high kids?! ) Now I appreciate and pray for those who minister to our youth, but I know God has equipped me to serve in different ways.

In today’s passage, we read that God called and equipped specific men to build the tabernacle as the Lord had commanded. Not every Israelite knew these skilled crafts – and God planned it that way. But as each person walked in the good works God prepared for them, the Israelites built the Lord’s dwelling place. When God gave them work to do, He equipped them for that task with gifts that were personal, sovereignly given and abundant. He does the same for us today.

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To read the rest of the teaching, head over to First 5 or download the app and join us for the rest of our study of Exodus!

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Today I have the privilege of sharing a teaching from Exodus 23-24 in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview:

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Today’s Reading: Exodus 23:20-24:18

Exodus 24:8 (ESV) “And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words. ‘”

When I was a kid, the most serious best friends proved it by becoming “blood sisters.” We’d take a safety pin and jab our index fingers until the tiniest spots of blood appeared, then rub our fingers together to intermingle the blood and establish ourselves as sisters forever. While I don’t recommend this for obvious safety and health reasons, the act of shedding blood added weight to the promise in our eyes.

In today’s passage, God confirmed His covenant with the Israelites by having Moses throw the blood of oxen on the altar and on the Israelites. (Exodus 24:3-8) Throughout the Bible, God established His relationship with His people through covenants that involved promises and obligations. (Genesis 17:1-11; Jeremiah 31:31-32; Luke 22:20) This covenant with Moses and the Israelites demonstrated God’s faithfulness, mercy and glory.

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You can read the rest of the teaching over at First 5 or join us for the rest of our study of Exodus by downloading the First 5 app!

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