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A Daily Devotion for Thursday, November 9

Exodus 35:30-35


Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills--to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.


God values creativity, and has gifted some with tremendous abilities to create. We all have creativity inside. Sometimes it is a matter of recognizing it is there, and then developing a skill. The artisans described in these chapters from Exodus did not just wake up one day able to make beautiful things. They needed to develop their skill. I think God is happy when we find and utilize His gifts. We will not all rise to the level of Beethoven or Monet, or Robert Frost, But we can live our full lives, as God intended for us to do.


Holy Lord, I am thankful for all of your many gifts. Help me to see and learn and create while I live on this earth, as you would have me do. Help me to do this without seeking recognition or praise, as this was not your intent. Amen


Becky, transforming

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Rosalind Spiller
Rosalind Spiller
Nov 10, 2023

Exodus 35:31-33


Although I knew this story of the creation of the Temple, I had not read these verses. I checked several translations and found the words, crafts, workmanship, and expert trades. There is no doubt that God valued these skills and those who possessed them. Sometimes crafters are not considered artists in our culture. However, I think God values any skill we work on and enjoy. It is his gift to us. Sometimes they come naturally, but often need to be practiced to become better. Any creative gift we have should be used.


Prayer: Gracious God, Thank you for the many gifts you have given me and the bravery to keep finding others to use in your name. Amen

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Tom
Tom
Nov 09, 2023

Exodus 35:30-35

It may be a silly example, but I will riff off of Becky’s post. I cannot draw or paint. Despite piano lessons as a youth, I cannot play the instrument today. I cannot compose readable poetry. My creative space is in the kitchen. The skills were planted and cultivated by my Dad. I worked at it and Becky brought me to the next level by providing private lessons with chef Henri Etienne Levi at his apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I amassed a collection of cookbooks that expanded my range further. God gifted me with the seeds of culinary creativity and the earthly angels to help them bear fruit. If God receives but a fracti…


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Janet L. Thompson
Janet L. Thompson
Nov 09, 2023

Exodus 35:30-35 God gives us so many things that we couldn’t do on our own, as we learn we then put our own spin on it creating things whether it’s sewing, playing an instrument, writing. The ability to create not only pleases us but pleases God.


Dear loving and giving Lord,

Thank you for giving me the skills needed to create things and help me to recognize these gifts. Amen

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