Don't Just Watch God Pass By...Chase After Him

Exodus 33:14   and 17-18 - And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

… So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”  And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”

Moses had been transformed.  He had met with God face to face.  He could not imagine going any further with the people god had chosen him to lead with god’s very presence going with them. Moses alone saw hope to restore the broken relationship that sin had caused between God and the people he loved so much. So Moses took action…he set up his tent far from camp and met with God there.

Joshua was the first to follow Moses example…then others who watched the pillar of cloud cover the tent while God was there…and began to seek him too.  It wasn’t enough for some to watch from a distance and worship from the tent doors anymore. They began to go to the tent to seek god too.

Here’s the thing that really convicts me this morning. The peace and rest that Moses got with His meetings was not enough for him.  He could not imagine life without the God who had called him to lead this “stiff-necked” people.  The rest and peace that God gave Moses created a hunger and thirst for something more… a glimpse at God’s full glory.

I was sitting in the chair by my window while I was reading my Bible this morning…and as I read… the sun came full strength through the panes. I could feel the sweet warmth… and closed my eyes to let it wash over me.  I turned my face full into the heat…but if I had opened my eyes…I would have damaged them. I knew the sun was still there…by the intensity of the heat on my face.  I knew when it had passed on…when the heat went away.

It is a reminder to me to have the attitude of Moses.  If I know something is broken…I need to actively seek ways to repair it. I have to keep asking God…keep seeking him no matter what.  I might have to follow him sometimes with my eyes closed….but the warmth he emits will lead me everywhere he goes…if I seek it.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are the constant in life.  You don’t stay in one place…you pass by us on your way to complete the bigger picture that will bring your son to his full glory someday.  Forgive me for the times that I have let you pass by without continuing to chase you.  Help me to do whatever it takes to bring restoration when my relationship with you is broken.  Amen.

How Stiff-Necked Are You?

Exodus 32:7-10 -   And the Lord said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.  They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’”  And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!  Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.”

Moses had been gone for 40 days…the people were worried something had happened to him….so they let their minds corrupt the progress God had made on their hearts for the last few months. Aaron agreed readily to the plan…even helped to make the substitute god they wanted. The result was a full out party of parties that had nothing to do with God and everything to do with carnal pleasure and comfort.  God called them a “stiff necked people” …synonyms from several commentaries included…perverse…obstinate… and self-willed.

Those that believe in God still face the strong urges of our flesh every time we try to choose the right thing to do … the will that God plans for us. God even left us with a direct link to his power  …the holy spirit.  But we resist it…just as Paul wrote in Acts 7:51.  It says…  “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.”

I admit quickly that I am just as guilty as every other sinner. The fight against the flesh is a tough battle. Our only real weapon is to completely surrender our lives to God’s will…and allow him to make all the decisions. That was Moses strength. As long as he walked with God…he had the courage to even reason with God…using the wisdom God had given him to even change his mind at times.

The secret is recorded in Romans 8.  I think verse 5 sums it up best.  It says…. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” There are no shortcuts…no self-made ways to get to God. We have to fill ourselves up with the things of the spirit… prayer…Bible study… and worship.  We have to crucify the flesh every time it tries to rear itself up again in our lives. We have to take the hand of God like Moses did and let him tell us exactly what to do.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I have to hold your hand every moment of my life if I am to succeed in the battles of the flesh that satan brings against me. Forgive me for the times that I have let go…decreasing my ability to stay strong and walk in your will.  Help me to learn to fill myself up with prayer…and Bible study…and worship…and fellowship with other Christians…and service to you…so you can keep my flesh from winning any battles.  Amen.

Stir Up Your Gift

Exodus 31:3-7 -  And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze,  in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.  “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

God finished up his 40 day conversation with Moses by telling him that he had filled 2 specific people with all the wisdom and skill they would need to lead all the artisans God would call to help them complete the Tabernacle God had given Moses the plans to build. It was an enormous task…God filling woodworkers … seamstresses … metal workers…engineers… artists of sculpture and overlay…artists of color and thread…. weavers… carpenters… skinners … perfumers…and all manner of labor…with the strength and wisdom they needed to complete each piece of the tabernacle according to the plans that God had made.

This was a calling to do something for someone else…to use what God had already placed inside them for the service of something greater than themselves.  It would bring them no credit or glory….but give glory to God alone…and provide for Him a place to live in their midst. They could take no shortcuts… use no artistic license… like I am prone to do many times.  They had to follow the exact blueprint and measurements that God gave to Moses for each piece that would make up the whole of the sanctuary God would live in.

I needed the reminder to …  “stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”….. as Timothy wrote in 2 Timothy 6-7.  Just as these people were given a supernatural dose of wisdom … understanding and knowledge….God has already done the same for me in some area. It is a reminder that I was made to serve him… period.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you made me for a purpose.  Forgive me for the times that I redesign your plan… intentionally or unintentionally.  Help me to learn to fan into flame the gift you have given me…so it can do the job you placed me here to do.  Amen.

Christ Became A Permanent Ransom For All Who Believe

Exodus 30: 11-12  -  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:  “When you take the census of the children of Israel for their number, then every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, that there may be no plague among them when you number them. 

God’s visit with Moses continued to detail the exact contents of the incense Arron would offer to God each morning and evening… and how to make the anointing oil that would consecrate everything  the Tabernacle…including the priests.  Then God turned to the temporary way he would cleanse man’s sins until his larger plan of salvation for all was completely ready to unveil and carry out.

Ransom…defined by Webster…is a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity. Man was completely…and still is completely enslaved by sin.  The Bible is clear.  Romans 3:23 states… “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.”  In order for man to receive any comfort or protection from God...he had to admit this once a year with a ransom payment.  Each man paid exactly the same…poor or rich…1/2 shekel. This was a pretty low price…considering it measured out to be 8 oz of silver…about $5 dollars on today’s market.

God sent his son to be the final ransom. Jesus tried to explain his suffering to come in terms the disciples might understand in Mark 10:45…where he said… “ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Most did not understand until Christ had completed his resurrection and appeared too many during the 40 days he was allowed to tie up loose ends and instruct the disciples further.  Timothy wrote later ….what should be every Christian’s ’s explanation of why we share the gospel. He said in 1 Timothy2:6…  “ who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time…”

I am so thankful that God put a permanent plan for my sin in place.  I needed the reminder to thank him and remember just how much more than $5 dollars his permanent plan cost his son. Life and the craziness around us tries to make our mind oversimplify this act of love. Satan only needs a seed of this to distort our view until we put his suffering completely out of our mind.  I remember being so torn up watching the film “The Passion Of The Christ”… I had to leave the theater when they started beating him.  It was so real for me in that moment…all he had done…how much pain he had walked through…just for me.  I had no words….just tears of guilt to the point I was sobbing uncontrollably.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you loved me so much that you sent your son to pay the ransom for my sin and the sins of everyone else that was and will be born before you return to claim your throne. Forgive me for the times that I take for granted how much it cost you…and your son to make a way to save the world.  Help me to be more like Timothy…and let your gift of love power me to be a better disciple…. Telling others about what you have done for them.  Amen.

Consecrate Yourself...Every Day

Exodus 29:19-20 -  “You shall also take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the ram. Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar.

The priests had to be consecrated to God with a detailed 7 day ceremony of sacrifices and rituals.  From placing their hands on the sacrifice to symbolize the transference of their own sins to the animal…to letting some of the blood touch their right ear…thumb and big toe….each part had great meaning and was symbolic to their new covenants with God.

As usual with these long chapters detailing sacrifices that were done away with when Christ made the last blood sacrifice needed…no real thoughts of application came to my mind….so I started reading some commentaries. David Guzik’s word’s about the blood God required on their ear…toe and thumb brought conviction to my heart.  He said… “These consecrated priests were stained with the blood of sacrifice. They should hear differently because the blood was on their ear. They should work differently because the blood was on their thumb. They should walk differently because the blood was on their toe.”

I love this application of God’s words to Moses. Since God washed us completely with his blood when we are saved…the same transformation should be happening in our lives.  We should hear…work…and walk with God daily.  And lets add some vital body parts to the mix…like our eyes…mind….and our hearts. God wants it all.  As Romans 12:2 says…. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

I needed the reminder to daily consecrate myself to whatever God has in store for me this day. I need to renew my mind every morning to listen…see….hear….walk toward…feel…and touch God’s will for the day ahead. Until I get all these parts of my flesh focused on God…I will not see his prefect will for my life.

Father...thank you for the reminder that I need to consecrate myself daily to you.  Thank you for washing me clean with your precious son’s blood.  Forgive me for the times that I let my flesh keep me from renewing my mind and heart each day to align completely with your plan for me.  Help me to focus so completely on you that I begin to see your perfect will for my life. Amen.

Wear Your Armor...For God's Glory And Beauty

Exodus 28:1-2 - “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty.

God turned his attention from the details of his Tabernacle to the garments of those that would minister in it. Aaron and his sons were chosen as the first priests…to be dressed in the most beautiful and glorious robes that had ever been created. God even anointed certain people of the Children of Israel to make these beautiful outfits.

It seems at first that a description of something God no longer requires from his people to be obsolete and unneeded. But I do not believe that anything God allowed to be recorded in his Bible to be wasted words. Since we are our own priests now….perhaps the message is to try an understand how we can consecrate and sanctify ourselves when we come into his presence.

Paul says it best in Ephesians 6:10-18. It says… “ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

I needed the reminder to make sure I am completely clothed in God’s armor at all times.  I might wear some of the armor for certain tasks…but I sure can’t say that I have worn all of it together at the same time. if I am to be as effective as I can for Christ…I need to find way to wear all of the armor all of the time.

Father…thank you for the reminder that your armor can give me the strength and courage to do all that you ask me to do.  Forgive me for the times that I dress to quickly for battle ….leaving off some of the armor you have given to strengthen me.  Help me to learn how to wear it all the time…so I am always ready for any task you ask me to do.  Amen. 

Does Your Light Burn Continually?

Exodus 27: -  “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.

God had already given Moses the directions for a 7 stemmed lamp to sit on the table in front of the veil to the Holy of Holies. Now God reminds him that the oil for the lamp should come from the people…and that it should burn continually…as a statute to all the generations to come.

A huge difference was made when Jesus came and gave his life on that cross. The veil was torn from top to bottom in that Tabernacle…and he became the light that would replace the need to keep this menorah lit for any other generations. And as men accepted his gift…they became an extension of that light…passing on the spark of hope and love that Jesus gave them to others.

That’s still how it works today.  When we accept Christ into our heart…he places his love there to shine as a light to others.  It is to shine continually…so others can benefit from its light.  I admit that life in general fights constantly to blow it out or dim its light. But God’s power to keep it burning bright is many times stronger than satan’s power to dim it. I needed the reminder that I need to tend that light continually to keep it shining its brightest to others.

Father...thank you for the reminder that you placed your love inside me when you saved me so tht I may see the way to help others know you too. Forgive me for the times that I have let life keep me from tending to the wonderful light you placed inside me.  Help me to focus on how to keep it shining its brightest… so others will you when they look at me.  Amen.

Our True Beauty Is On The Inside

Exodus 26:7 and 14 -  “Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether.

…Make for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.

God gave Moses very detailed instructions for making the Tabernacle that would house his presence. He included the size….kind of thread to weave…and even how to join each piece of cloth for the tent together. The inner part of the structure was made with the finest materials…in colors fit for royalty.  Every piece that joined the wooden and linen structure together overlaid with gold.  The curtains embroidered with artistic impressions of cherubim.

God did not leave the inner beauty of his tabernacle unprotected from the elements it would face as they traveled.  He gave instructions for a 3 layer covering of goat hair…ram skin …and the outermost covering probably a durable leather.

I have to admit that I got lost and distracted with all the details of this chapter.  I tried to summarize the math and found myself wondering what in the world God would be trying to teach me with all these details. I had to google a couple of commentaries for God to help me see the hidden message in all these instructions.

God’s most precious possession…our heart…lives inside a shell of protection.  It is housed underneath layers of skin and a specialized set of bones that keep it from being damaged in normal wear and tear. Perhaps I work too hard trying to make the outside covering he put me in look prettier. Pride … vanity…and the world’s crazy standards try and make us women think we should pour our resources and time into changing our outer shell.

It’s another reminder to me to spend more time making my inside pure and godly….and spend less of my time and resources thinking of ways to change my outer shell with makeup and hair color…and tanning products…and high fashion clothes….and cute shoes.  I am doing better since retirement…I stopped coloring my hair…and I have even left the house on a few occasions with no makeup at all.  I shop less for clothes and shoes…replacing things that are broken or worn out instead of just shopping to fill time.

Father…thank you for the reminder that your home needs to be fit for the royalty you are. Help me to focus more on the inside of my heart…and spend time with you learning how to keep it pure and holy. Forgive me for the times that I have drifted into routines that focus on my outer covering…because I think that it could be prettier…or more attractive to the world around me. Show me how to make the inside of me something that you would be proud of.  Amen. 

God Lives Right In Our Heart

Exodus 25:1-2 and 8-9 -  The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.

….“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.  Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Part of the 40 days Moses spent with God was listening to the directions of how to make a portable Tabernacle.  God needed a place to dwell among them…accept their sacrifices… and visit with the high priest. This mountain where he came down would not be able to travel with them. It would be their worship place till the Messiah came and redefined worship and the church.

God still travels with us…he lives in the heart of every believer that calls on and believes in his son Jesus that died for their sin. He still asks us to give freely of our resources to help him do the work that Jesus started so long ago. He asks us of our money…our time…our talents…from every heart that is prompted to give.

I am so very thankful that God opened a way for me to carry him with me.  He gives us all the Holy Spirit …to go everywhere we go. I don’t have to worry about the exact dimensions of a building or having to carry around a mercy seat.  He lives right  in my heart….so I always know where to find him.

I am reminded of that great poem “Footprints In The Sand”…written by Mary Stevenson. In the hardest of times…we sometimes think that God has deserted us. But this poem reminds me that God never forsakes us…he carries us through the hardest tasks of life….then gently sets us back down when we are strong enough to walk again …with his help of course.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you live within the shell of life you created for me to use while I live on the Earth you created. Thank you for the call on my life and letting your son die for my many sins.  Forgive me for the times that I take for granted the covering and blessings you shower on me daily….and for not thanking you enough for the times you carried me through the hard stuff.  Prompt my heart to be so thankful that it praises you and gives even more of its time and resources to help you do your work.  Amen.

Could You Spend 40 Solid Days And Nights With God....No Distractions?

Exodus 24: 15-18 -  When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud.  To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.  Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

God completed giving Moses the law…and he built a special altar to give sacrifices and peace offerings to God for it. Then he read it in the presence of all of the people. Soon after that…God called several of the young men….and 70 of the elders to come part way up the mountain with him.  They saw God…with a street of sapphires under his feet….they even ate and drank with him

Then Moses was called to the top of the mountain …for 40 days and nights. He was to receive the tablets that God had written the laws on…and we know from peaking at chapter 25…he would also receive the plans for the portable tabernacle of worship God would live in as they traveled in the wilderness.

My heart immediately wondered what it would have been like to spend 40 complete days and nights in God’s presence. We know again by peeking ahead that Moses shone with God’s glory when he emerged… so much that the people were scared by his new look. But my curious heart can’t seem to imagine what it was like to spend 40 intense days with God on that mountain.

I have trouble keeping my focus for more than an hour.  My mind wanders in church services…my mind wanders when I read the Bible…my mind wanders when I am trying to spend my most intense time with him when writing….and my prayers are mostly short and sweet. Jesus is the only other person I can recall in the Bible that chose to spend 40 days and nights in an intense visit with his father. The closest I have come was a three day Emmaus retreat a few years back.

It sure was wonderful to focus on just God for that time…my heart and life receiving some permanent courage and strength to return to the world where there are so many distractions. It helped me to focus better …more days than I had in the past…and become bold enough to establish a routine of Bible reading and meditation on his word that is still in place 5 years later. If 3 days can do that…imagine what a 40 day retreat from the world would do….no food…no water….just God and me. As enabling as I know that would be…I can’t say I would choose it on my own.

I needed the reminder to use the times God had given me to the fullest.  I need to prepare myself better for the times that God has established for me to recharge and spend time with him already. I need to say a quick prayer of binding from distractions before I go into a worship service.  I need to spend a bit of time in prayer before I read the Bible…asking God to open up his word to my heart and help me apply wat I have read to my life. I need to stop using my quick phrase…Jesus help me …in the mornings when I write and pray a real prayer of guidance and wisdom for what he says with my fingers each day. As I reflect…I just bet that most of Moses time with God was in prayer…prayer for himself…prayer for his co-workers and elders…and prayers for the people he was called to lead.

Father…thank you for the reminder that my strength and power to do your will comes from you.  Forgive me for the times that I have let myself become distracted in my time with you.  Help me to learn how to use prayer and meditation to teach me how to spend quality time with you.  Make my time with you so wonderful and recharging that I can’t wait to be in your presence for more direction and help for the life you have called me to live.  Amen. 

God Requires Unquestioning Obedience And Acceptance

Exodus 23:20-22 - “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.  Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. 

God had finished giving Moses the details of how to carry out his law. His final directions included staying away from false witnesses….not showing partially just because someone was poor…treating strangers with respect and love…and resting and  giving thanks on the 7^th day…even letting a field rest the 7^th year as well.

Then God promised to send an angel before them as they traveled.  This angel would prepare the way before them as they traveled toward Canaan. They would have many enemies…for God was giving them land that pagans had established large cities.  God wanted them to know that the task of taking over the land would be his…all they had to do was obey him and keep the laws he had just given Moses.

God did us one even better than this…he gave us the Holy Spirit. He lives within us and can guide us in all that we do.  We just have to acknowledge that the spirit is a part of us…and call on it to help us when we need it. Its power is unlimited.  Its love is as deep as Christ’s…for they are one.

There is a catch to using this wonderful gift.  It requires unquestioning obedience and acceptance. There is forgiveness of our sin now that Christ became our salvation…but we miss entirely too many blessings because of our disobedience.  Sometimes I am guilty of missing the message entirely…too distracted by some selfish project or task to stop and even listen.

I needed the reminder to listen carefully to the still small voice that God placed inside of me to help me know his will…and spend more of my time in praise and worship of the God who gave me life.  I sure need…and want others to have the list of blessings that Moses recorded in verses 25 and 26.  They say… “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,  and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.”

Father…thank you for the reminder that you require of me unquestioning obedience and acceptance of all that you ask me to do.  Forgive me for the times that I let selfishness cut my time with you short…or I let life distract me from the tasks you have given me to do.  Help me to focus so intently on your voice that I hear all that you ask me to do….and learn to be obedient…even unto death if needed. Amen.

More Trust...Less Complaining

Exodus 22:9 -  In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any other lost property about which somebody says, ‘This is mine,’ both parties are to bring their cases before the judges.  The one whom the judges declare guilty must pay back double to the other.

As God detailed the way people should settle disputes between them…he raised up special people called judges to listen to each case. They were to be the final word…they decided the guilt or innocence in situation that caused loss of life to any property…or of matters that caused people to take two sides. God gave these judges special discernment and wisdom to make the right decision. The people were to trust them as if the decision had come from God himself.

I thought of Solomon…and the wisdom that he had to see the truth of a dispute.  The story of how he found the real mother of a child by threatening to cut it into half to settle a dispute popped into my mind. I imagine that the judges of this day had much the same wisdom to see the truth.

I wish I had the same trust for the judges of our day as these people must have had in Moses day.  The problem is that not all judges today are godly men…many complete unbelievers in God.  I find myself questioning their decisions many times… and with a heavy heart…asking God to intervene to bring justice.

I am reminded that God is in control…even when a decision is made that is not of God.   Romans 8:28 promises that… it says…. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  I admit that it is hard to trust this promise all the time…especially when the judgment that was made affects us personally.

I am sure that there were gasps of unbelief at Solomon’s dictate to kill a child. They only saw the immediate results of his words.  But Solomon had been given a glimpse of the truth…that a mother would rather see her child raised by another….than to see him killed….the same sacrifice that God made for each of us that believe in his name.

I needed the reminder that God is the ultimate judge…and the things that I interpret as injustice will be corrected in his time. Just as the people of Moses day had to trust in the decisions of the judges God had put in place…I must trust that God will bring about justice in his own way…in his own timing. My job is not to question or judge myself…but to trust and pray for God to use every decision for the good of the people that love him.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are in control.  Forgive me for the times that I get sidetracked questioning the events of the day…instead of following your words to continually pray about the things that bother my spirit.  Help me to do less complaining… and more trusting.  Amen.

Mercy Came Down...And Love Fulfilled The Law

Exodus 21:23 – 25 -  But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,  eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,  burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

God continued his talk with Moses…detailing how he was to judge the specific breakages of his law.  The chapter is very detailed…with specific punishments for  releasing bought servants after 6 years of service….treatment a wife that was unwanted … premediated and accidental murder….even how to compensate someone if you injured their animal.

As I read each situation…my heart kept thinking that this time allowed for no mercy. Anything done as a premediated thought was judged harshly…eye for eye…hand for hand…life for life. I couldn’t help thinking that our world would be a better place if many of these punishments were still in place…but then God reminded me that these punishments didn’t work 100 percent back then either.

God had to put in place his last resort plan.  Let me quote John 3:16…one of the only verses I know completely by memory. It says… “God so loved the world …that he gave his only begotten son…that whosoever believes in him….will not perish but have everlasting life.” Verse 17 explains just a bit further what he meant to accomplish with this gift to us. It says… “for god sent not his son into the world to condemn it….but to save it through him.”

I am so thankful and glad that God put this plan into action so I can see the great effect that mercy has on a world that seems to be controlled by evil. Without mercy…sin runs unchecked…chokes out what little love may be in a place.  With mercy…love is magnified into a power so strong it can break the chains of evil with a whisper of Jesus mighty name.

I realize that I will battle evil as long as God allows me life on this earth.  My battle is not against the people that are controlled by sin.  It is a battle against the creator of evil itself.  Ephesians 6:12 says… “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

I needed the reminder that God loves the sinner and hates the sin. I am to love others so boldly and fully that they see the great power of God to save them from the world of sin that they think they are trapped in…no matter what that manifests in their life.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you love me…you love all your creation so much that you gave your only son to be my pardon for sin.  Forgive me for the times that I limit your love through me…because of fear…or hate…or simple indifference.   Help me to use the discernment you can give me to love all people…and help you free more people from sin with you powerful love. Amen.

Draw As Near To God As He Will Let You

Exodus 20:20-21-  And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

The people had watched Moses draw near to the cloud where God had come to meet with them.  They only heard the first of what he said…the rest was loud thunder and lightning strikes and smoke. What they heard as thunder…Moses heard as the 10 laws that God gave his people to live by.  What they saw and heard gave them a feeling of fear….but to Moses it was plain and simple words from God’s own mouth.

The key to hearing God’s voice is in verse 21…Moses drew near to God. He came as close to God as he would let him…and learned to talk to him like any other man.  Moses met him on a mountain…felt the same fear that the people did here….and allowed God to turn that fear into a holy reverence for the power that he could give him to do what God had called him to do. 

I admit that I am tempted to be afraid many times.  I also admit that I let fear get the best of me more than I remember to follow Moses advice here.  Thank God…he eventually gets through to me….and helps me past whatever I was afraid of. He draws me near…even when I am too afraid to walk closer myself.

I needed the reminder that I have the power within me to stop the feelings of fear that satan tries to throw at me.  I can have the same confidence that Moses had to walk up to God as close as I can. That Bible he gave me…and the ability to pray are key to moving in his direction.  I believe that fellowship with other believers and corporate worship are essential too.  I can hear that old hymn playing in my head… “Nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me.”

Father...thank you for the ability to come near to you.  Forgive me for the times that I run farther away…or simply freeze where I am.  Teach me how to have the confidence of Moses…to walk as close as you will let me…so I can be empowered to do your will at all times.  Amen. 

Are You God's Greatest Treasure?

Exodus 19:3-5 -  And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 

The people had left Rephidim and traveled closer to the promised land of Canaan.  They stopped to camp near a mountain at the edge of the desert of Sinai. God called Moses up to the mountain and told him to prepare the people for a personal visit. He would appear in a cloud and speak so that they could hear his voice telling Moses what to do. God wanted them to understand that Moses had been chosen to lead them…and they had been chosen to follow God.  IF…they could follow his commands …they would become God’s greatest treasure.

Of course they failed…time and again. So God eventually sent his son to accomplish what no human could do.  Jesus was able to live that perfect will of God and complete God’s plan of salvation for all of us who falter with sin.  God was so intent on keeping his side of the bargain with his people that he kept redesigning his plan till it accomplished what he wanted.  Now all of us have the opportunity to become God’s greatest treasure…by simply believing in his son and giving our lives over to God’s will. 

My flesh wins time and time again…so I am so thankful that God allows for the repentance of sin in his plan for salvation.  I did not take the time to count the number of instances God has forgiven me …but I am sure it has surpassed the thousands. I needed the reminder today to let Jesus’ words of rebuke in Matthew 26:41 sink into my spirt.  He had been praying for the strength to go the final leg of his assignment for his father…and found the disciples sleeping instead of in prayer with him …and said… “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?   Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Our answer to anything hard …anything that tempts our flesh to give in and not follow what we know God would have us do is prayer.  Moses knew how to pray…he was good at it….but the people had to go through him.  They lost courage so many times because they did not have a direct connection with God. 

I am so thankful this morning that when Jesus came to complete his father’s plan of salvation that it gave all believers that direct connection to God.  The power of prayer was opened to all when that temple veil torn into.  It not only opened up prayer to all of us…but the right to be God’s greatest treasure as well. I can be God’s greatest treasure too…if I remember to call on him in prayer to keep any  thought of the flesh from manifesting in my life.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you want me to be your greatest treasure.  Forgive me for the times that I have let the flesh win out…and not come to you for strength and courage to say no to sin.  Help me to remember that prayer is my best defense against any weakness…and come to you daily with thankfulness and praise for all that you have given me so far in life.  Amen. 

Find A Balance....Listening Is As Important As Teaching

Exodus 18:17-19 -  So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.  Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

The Israelites journey toward Canaan brought them near to Moses second home.  Jethro met him and brought his wife and sons to reunite with him. They had a grand time fellowshipping and catching up on all that God had done in Moses life and the people he had been called to lead. The next day ..Jethro got to see firsthand how overloaded Moses was with daily counsel and judging the people’s disputes.  God used him to give Moses a plan to select other godly men from among them to help with this task.

My heart saw instantly how very humble this man Moses was. As powerful as God had taught him to be…he did not assume his power was a substitute for the wisdom of other godly people in his life. He used the discernment that God gave him to listen and act on this great advice immediately.  He saw the benefits of training and teaching others to be leaders too.

It is great reminder that just because I have retired…or reached a certain age…or obtained a certain high degree of knowledge … I simply don’t know everything there is to know.  I should always be ready and willing to listen to the godly advice of others. It is also a reminder that God might just use me to pass on a tidbit or two to others. We must find a balance in our mind….of being confident of what we know so we can teach it to others…yet have a godly discernment constantly in place to know when someone else is wiser than ourselves.

I have been guilty of taking way too much most of my life. I am learning to listen better...even though it is hard to break old habits.  God has much to teach me about this skill…and how to find a balance. I am so thankful for the many godly people he has placed in my life…from family to close friends.  They have all been patient with me as God continues to show me that my listening skills are just a bit more important than my ability to verbalize a thought.

Father…thank you for the reminder that listening is a very important skill.  Forgive me for making you work so hard to instill this thought into my heart.  Thank you for not giving up on me and continuing to send me training sessions so I can learn to get this right. Help me to recognize when it is better to be silent and listen...and when it is time for me to share something you have taught me.  Amen.

Hold Others Up In Prayer

Exodus 17:11-13 -  And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

The Amalek people came to fight the people of Israel while they camped at Rephidim. Moses chose Joshua to chose men to take to battle…while he and Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill to watch their progress. Moses realized that while he held up the rod of God they were  victorious…but if he let it down they suffered losses.  It was a long battle…and Moses arms became heavy…it would have been impossible for him to physically keep them up for the whole battle.  So his friends helped him. They did the work of holding up his hands so Moses could concentrate on praying the Israelites to victory.

It is a reminder to me that we are to be each other’s prayer warriors.  We may even need to provide some physical help to others when they are in need. Jesus told us in Matthew 18:19… “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” And Solomon added to this wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4:12 .. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

I am so very guilty of trying to be too independent.  It runs in my family … so to speak. I needed the reminder to never try to handle …even the small things…by myself. I have no problem asking my sweet prayer warriors to join me on the biggies…there is after all nothing too big for God to handle. I just have to learn that the small things that make my heart sad…or lonely...or hurt eventually add up to big things if I let them accumulate. I just bet that I am not the only one that feels this way.  The reminder then…is not just to ask for help for myself…but to always consider the needs of others. Perhaps I can be a Hur….or Aaron to someone else.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I am to hold up others needs in my daily prayers.  Forgive me for the times that I focus to much on myself and miss the opportunity to petition you for someone else’s needs.  Show me new ways to reach out to others that are afraid to ask for help…so your love can shine some victory over the battles with life that keep them bound. Amen.

The Bible Is Our Daily Manna

Exodus 16: 4-5 -  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.  And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

The small amount of food they had taken with them in their flight from Egypt was used up.  Hunger pains once again brought despair and a feeling that God had deserted them.  They cried out to Moses …even wishing out loud that they were dead…that they had never left Egypt where at least they had meat and bread each day to eat. So Moses did what Moses always did…he prayed and asked God what to do.

God answered the prayer quickly with a plan to feed the children of Israel for the next 40 years.  A substance they named manna rained from the sky each morning.  As the dew evaporated from the ground…the dried manna could be collected and ground into bread that tasted sweet. Each evening God caused flocks of quail to come their camp.  They could easily catch all the meat they needed for their families.

There was one condition…the food God provided was only good for one day…except on the Sabbath.  What they collected on the 6^th day and prepared supernaturally stayed fresh for two days. Any other time it spoiled…so that it smelled awful and grew worms.  God needed to build their faith. He needed them to trust him for everything they needed…..on a daily basis. Of course many of them failed the test at first…they got to experience the rotten stink and see the gross worms the next morning from the manna and quail they tried to keep more than one day.  But over time they learned if they were to survive…they must follow God’s directions…exactly…no exceptions.

It is a great reminder to me to do the same. God left us with a wonderful book of instructions.  It should be the manna that sustains us every day. One day of Bible reading will only take our faith so far.  We need a daily dose of his word to allow him to build our faith into a strong tower of strength and courage that will help us through anything that satan can dream up to weaken us. 

It also reminds me that I need to build my own trust in God’s plan for me.  I admit that when life gets tough it is tougher to completely trust that God knows what he is doing.  I would have been right in the middle of those Israelites complaining that I was hungry and did not understand why God had me wandering in a wilderness with no food left. I have to remember this story…and the words of David in Psalm 28:7.  It says…  “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are my strength and my shield and my deliverer…and my salvation.  Forgive me for the times that I let my flesh keep me from trusting you completely.  Help me to take one day at a time and learn to feed daily on your word.  Show me how to build my faith so that satan cannot find a way to weaken what you have built within my heart. Amen.

God Teaches Us To depend On Him For all Our Needs

Exodus 15: 22-25 -  So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.   And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

As they left the area of the Red sea and traveled toward the promised land…water was hard to find. They had been traveling three days…and found water at Marah…but it  was too bitter to drink. They complained and Moses prayed….and God led Moses to a tree that would turn the bitter water sweet if it was thrown into the bitter water.

It began a long series of situations that God used to teach and train his people to depend on him instead of the world around them. They had seen his power and glory….in ways that no man had ever seen before…yet they doubted on a continuing basis that God could provide for their daily needs. It had only been three days since they had worshiped and praised God in a song so great …all of its words were recorded….but now they seemed hopeless…defeated by the simple lack of water.

How quickly our heart lets go of the full feeling we have when God is blessing us with good things…when he allows us to experience a time of hardship or sorrow.  It is the selfish flesh side that wants life to be a breeze….easy…smooth sailing from one season to the next.  But God knows that these easy times of life don’t teach us new things about how to depend on him.  They trick us into thinking that we can exist without his help.

God knows what we need before we discover it ourselves.  He is constantly working a plan that gives us what we need…while he teaches us to depend completely on him. I admit that it is very hard to do…I resemble these complaining Israelites so many times. I needed the reminder that I only need to cry out to God to help me.

My help might not come in the simplest form that my finite brain thinks of…it will come in the form of a lesson.  God did not hand the Israelites a cup of pure water…Moses had to take a tree and throw it in the bitter water. God wanted them to see his power was not limited to the mighty works they had seen in Egypt and at the Red Sea.  God’s bag of miracles is bottomless….always ready to provide for the simplest of needs they had.

Father…thank you for the reminder that you know how to provide for my needs.  Forgive me for the times that I let life trick me into whining and complaining about the things I think are wrong in my life.  Help me to accept your teaching moments when I cry out to you for help…so I can learn to depend on you completely and trust that you always have my best interest in mind. Amen.

Let God Build Peace And Confidence In Your Heart

Exodus 14:13 -14 - And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

God had led the people to what seemed like a dead end….having them camp next to the red sea. They could see the army of Pharaoh coming after them and feared death. What they couldn’t see was God’s powerful plan to divide the sea into two great walls of water and dry the ground with his own breath to allow them to walk to the other side of the sea.

They thought they would have to do their own fighting…and knew that they had no way of fighting off these Egyptians. If they had they would have rose up against them in Egypt and left on their own. But God was still showing them just how powerful he was. What they saw as certain death…God saw as an opportunity to show his glory and power once again.  The people of Israel just had to learn to trust him.

I have watched God fight for people over and over in my 57 years.  I have heard stories of favorable court battles….. cancer survival…. and healings of all kinds.  What we think of as a dead end that causes fear to grip our heart and freeze our faith…God knew all along was going to be a grand story of victory that would show his power and glory… and lead others to believe and trust in him forever. Even when the situation seems to our heart and mind to be a defeat…God is using it to put together a grander finale… one that will lock evil and pain and hurt away forever.

I needed the reminder today to let God handle things the way he sees best…to trust him even though my eyes and heart see the worst in a situation.  It is always harder to trust him before you know the benefits…but that is our selfish flesh trying to control our heart. To receive the peace that Moses was talking about we have to tell that selfish side of our heart to take a hike.  Jeremiah 17:7-8 sums it up for me. It says … “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Father…thank you for the reminder to trust you above all else…so you can reveal the grander side of things I can’t yet see. Forgive me for allowing selfishness and panic to rule my thoughts at any time.  Teach me how to rest in your amazing love and trust you with all things…so I can build confidence and feel your peace that passes all understanding.  Amen.

God's Way Is Not Always The Easiest...Shortest Route

Exodus 13: 17-18 - Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”  So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

God had told them to consecrate and remember the freedom he had given them with a 7 day observance. They were to leave the leaven out of their bread for the full 7 days. They should spend time remembering the haste in which they left Egypt…and the way God had protected their firstborn from the same fate as the Egyptians. The story should be told each year as they took time to consecrate this week of time to God and make sure their children all knew the story of their deliverance.

Then they began to travel …led by day with a pillar of cloud…protected at night with a pillar of fire. God did not take them the shortest route. He took them through wilderness towards the red sea. He knew their hearts were thankful for the freedom he had given them…but as the reality of travel and few provisions for travel along the way sank in…he knew that many would begin to think that leaving was a mistake.  Their lives were rough there…but predictable… they always had food…never needed to fight for life.

It is a reminder to me that God knows best...even when his plan does not always seem best to our human heart. Our flesh gets in the way…its selfish tendrils seeking to weaken the faith we have in God to provide for us in all situations. I struggle with these tendrils of selfish pride every day….most people never seeing or hearing the thoughts that God hears even before I voice them myself. Some of them kept me from writing yesterday…the first time in many months that I did not sit down and let God speak through his word.  God knows my excuses… none of which gave me any real reasons to shirk my time with him.

Here is what amazes me the most about my weakness.  God woke me up this morning anyway…with a second chance to start my day with him. He even provided a thin blanket of snow that canceled the days scheduled activities…and a cold enough temperature to keep me leery of trying to travel till I am sure the roads are safe. 

Father…thank you for the reminder that nothing is more important than spending time with you. Forgive me for the times that I let my selfish thoughts and pride from seeking your wisdom and truth.  Help me to trust you fully…even when my human logic sends red flags to my weak heart.  Strengthen me with your spirit so that I may take the road that you choose…even when it looks longer and harder than I think I can stand. Amen.

We Are Light And Salt

Exodus 12:37-39 -   Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.   And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

It happened exactly as God had said…and they traveled in a caravan of walkers…some on horseback and camel. Others may have ridden in carts pulled by ox or donkey. The Bible lists the number at 600,000 men…but that would only be the men 20 or older that were healthy enough to fight if they needed to go to war. Never before and never again would there be recorded such a trip in history.

Theologians have theorized about a full number of this…mixed multitude of exiles that included children…women….and elderly not able to care for themselves.  The ‘mixed’ reference helps us understand that many actual Egyptians may have left Egypt with them.  God had convinced many of them that they needed to forget all the other Gods in their life and worship him alone.  Perhaps the full number was in the millions. God had blessed these people…under the duress of captivity from a mere 70…to more than 2 million people.

I have meditated more than the usual hour in the morning on this one.  I had time to write this morning…but felt after picking my scripture ….I needed…no God needed me to chew on this one a bit more.  The lesson in Sunday school was from Matthew 5… how we are the salt of the earth…and how we need to let our light shine. These Hebrews sure knew how to do that.  They lived a life so trusting in God that even in the worst of conditions they flourished and multiplied. They were examples for the people around them and convinced many of them to change the religion they had used all their life.

That’s what is about folks.  We have to figure out how God can use us to season the part of the world we live in with his love. We have to find the best venue to show the world we live in God’s light of truth and love.  Combine that with the second of two walking miracles that attended Sunday school for the first time since cancer stole their energy….and you see the double whammy that faith plus a few signs and wonders can accomplish in convincing any non-believer to reconsider their belief in God.  

Father…thank you for the reminder that if I allow you to keep my faith strong….and let you use me to model your love….you can use me to speak truth in those that still do not believe in you.  Forgive me for the times that I have let the turmoil around me weaken my faith and let others see things that are not of you.  Help me to always keep my mind focused on you so you can whisper to me the best way to shine the light that you put inside me when you saved me. Amen. 

Grace Calls Us To Be Ready To Move In Faith

Exodus 12:11 -  And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.

God had given Moses the instructions to the people for the very first Passover feast. It was a way for the people to show their faith in God’s promise to bring them out of bondage…and worship him for keeping his promises. They were to worship and celebrate in haste….eating bread that was prepared without leaven…wearing the very clothes they needed to travel out of Egypt in. 

Grace had brought them to this point…and their faith would see them through to the morning light that would finally bring an end to their captivity in Egypt. The grace of God gave them the chance to follow in faith…so that God could begin the mission he had sent Moses to do for him.  Only by their faith and action of what Moses told them God said to do would allow the angel of death to pass by their home.

I love the visual of eating with their belt…sandals…and staff in hand…ready to leave… ready to follow God out of a season of life that had worn them down physically and spiritually.  It was a new beginning for them…of a new season…that had the promise of freedom … growth… and success.

It is a reminder to me that we always need to be prepared to go and do what God has called us to do. We just don’t know how much time is left before he returns to complete his final promise to his people. We can’t rest in the knowledge that we are safe and ready to go. We are to be spreading his gospel to others so that the maximum number of people can share in the glory of that final time.

Father…thank you for the reminder to always have my belt….sandals…and staff in hand…ready to leave for my next assignment at a moments notice.  Forgive me for the times that I take my salvation for granted and rest too much in the knowledge that I am safe from any judgement.  Help me to identify the sin in my life daily …so that you can use me to help others know who you are.  Amen.

Plant Seeds Of Favor

Exodus 11:2-3- Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.”  And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

Moses had spent about a month…according to most commentaries…pleading to Pharaoh for the release of the Hebrews. Each of the first 9 plagues had given the people of God quite the reputation in the eyes of the Egyptians.  Pharaoh wasn’t quite ready to give up…but the Egyptian people were ready…even to the point of showering them with gold and silver things from their own collections.

The Hebrews were beginning to get the method to what they thought at first was wasted time.  Each time God allowed and stopped a new plague…many more Egyptians believed in the power of God. They willingly and cheerfully gave these articles of gold and silver to any Hebrew that asked.

I understand completely how you can find the favor of God’s people within the saved community.  I have experienced that all my life.  From the blessing of the parents God chose for me…the family of sisters that he allowed me to share with the world…the many friends and people I don’t even know that encourage my writing of this blog each day.  I feel the favor of God from many Christians around the world each day.

But these Hebrews were experiencing the Favor of non-Christians.  Quite the oddity given the fact that the God of the people they were favoring…had caused such harsh conditions for them in the last month. I bet some of them were ready to convert to Judaism and leave with them.

It is a reminder to me that even in this world of atheists and agnostics and other beliefs…God can show just enough signs and wonders to change their minds too. We should never think that just because they profess something other than the truth that they are bound to be that way forever. Our prayer should be that God place in their pathway just enough of his love and light to show them the truth.

Father…thank you for the reminder that there are those that need to see your love and light in a mighty way. Forgive me for the times that I take for granted that someone else will speak your truth to those that don’t know you.  Place in my heart a reminder to pray continually for those around me that haven’t placed their trust in you.  Show me how to be one that shows your mighty love and power …and plant seeds of favor in their heart. Amen.

God's Merciful Covering

Exodus 10:21-23 -  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.”  So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

God continues to send Moses to Pharaoh to tell him to let his people go. He even let Moses know in advance that this was not the end of the plagues that he would send to show his power to Pharaoh and the Israelites. Each time…whether it be flies….or frogs…or locusts….or lice…or darkness…none of the Israelites were affected. They enjoyed the covering of God upon their homes and family and flocks.

With all they had been through…the harshness of their captivity…this protection from the madness of the many plagues around them must have been a great comfort and sign of God’s love for them. God built their courage and faith as he delivered his judgement to the people who had held them captive.  Each time they saw the people of Egypt suffer…and realized that God had spared them…their hearts grew a bit stronger and deeper in love with God.

Moses and the Israelites were experiencing the covering of God in a real and tangible way. They saw and felt the protection of God on them each time a new plague was sent to soften Pharaoh’s heart. There have been several times in my own life that I have seen and experienced God’s covering too. He continually takes care of every need I have ever had.

I can’t help but think of the high cost of that covering over my life. Romans 4:7 says … “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.”  My sins…as well as the sins of every man were covered by the precious blood of Jesus Christ as he gave his life on that cross so many years ago.  I am covered because of the mercy of God to send his only son to save my life.

Father…thank you for the love you have for me.  Thank you for showing me mercy and allowing your only son to cover my sin with his precious perfect life.  Forgive for the times that I take that covering for granted.  Help me to keep my heart in a continual state of thankfulness for each blessing I receive because of your grace and covering of my sins. Amen.

Let Go...And Let God

Exodus 9:29-30 -  So Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord’s. But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God.”

Pharaoh kept changing his mind and God kept sending Moses back to tell him to let his people go.  Each time there was a new consequence if Pharaoh refused. The 7^th time God sent hail mixed with fire so bad that the early crops of flax and barley were destroyed. It broke Pharaoh just enough to admit that he was a sinner…he even seemed to have changed his mind and was going to let them go…but as soon as the sun came out his heart forgot all about the conviction it felt moments before.

There is a huge lesson on stubborn pride embedded in this story…but my spirit caught on the words of Moses.  Moses had begun to understand the pattern of God’s plan. He was okay with asking God to stop this plague…because he knew God was not through using the Egyptian people and this stubborn man to show his people just how far he would go to save and rescue them.

What a great reminder that when we let go of our own ideas and let God start using us to do his will a peace that gives us confidence to continue takes front seat in our heart.  Moses was not impatient and calling out to God for help any more…he was confidently waiting for his next instructions. His heart had begun to sync with God’s heart…he was beginning to understand God’s ways were better that his own.

I admit that I am still learning how to be more like Moses…and let go of all of my own ideas.  It is so very hard to tell the difference sometimes…especially if you have not spent the bulk of your time praying…. meditating… and searching for answers in his word. Letting go and letting God is not always easy…but it pays off in the end.

Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to constantly check my own ideas at the door to my heart…so that there is room for your will to begin to enter.  Forgive me for the times that I have stubbornly held on to things that you needed gone.  Help me learn how to let go and let you fill me up with a daily dose of your will…so I can create in my heart a confidence that makes me courageous and bold.  Amen. 

Intercessory Prayer...An Honor And A Privilege

Exodus 8:9-11 -   And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.”  So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.  And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”

God had brought a plague of frogs upon the land of Egypt…and all the people that were under the rule of Pharaoh.  They were everywhere…in their houses…beds…dishes….even the ovens they cooked in.  Pharaoh called to Moses when he had dealt with them as long as he could bear and entreated Moses to intercede for him to God to take them away.

It was the beginning of one of Moses greatest jobs for the next 40 years.  He wasn’t just training to lead the Israelites…he was learning how to pray for someone who had a stubborn heart. Moses would intercede for Pharaoh 9 more times…and many more than that for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness.

There is no greater honor than to be asked to intercede for someone else in prayer. Moses knew in his heart that Pharaoh wasn’t going to keep his promise…but he interceded for him anyway. Moses prayed from the heart…a simple conversation between him and God….and God answered his prayers every time.

It reminds me this morning that the prayers we lift for others are precious to God. God wants to show his power and glory so that all will know that there is no other power in this world that is greater. It had nothing to do with whether Pharaoh deserved it or not. It had everything to do with faith. Luke 22:32 records the words of Jesus to his disciples. He said… “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Father…thank you for the reminder that every time I pray for another I strength my faith and theirs too. Forgive me for the times that have passed by an opportunity to pray for others.  Help me to grasp every chance you give me to lift another up to you…so that you can show your glory and power in this world full of hate and evil. Amen.

God's Power Overcomes ALL Things

Exodus 7:11-13 - But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.  And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

Moses had been given a great gift.  He could channel the power of God. God prepared a miraculous sign for him to show God’s power and he did them as he was told. The only problem was Pharaohs hard heart.  Pharaoh had tapped into the power of satan.  He could imitate many of the things God told Moses to do.

There was one difference in Pharaoh’s magician’s and Moses.  Moses power was stronger than satan’s. The rod of God swallowed up the serpents that satan powered with magic. God’s power is stronger than anything else.  Phillippians 4:13 doesn’t say we can do some things with God’s power that strengthens us…it says …ALL things.

It is a reminder to me that I give up way to quick sometimes.  I let satan trick me into an early defeat because I don’t call on God to help me persevere.  Moses is only at the beginning of this battle. He will call on God’s power 10 more times before this battle is ended….11 if you count the parting of the red sea in their final escape.

Father….thank you for the reminder to persevere by using your great power that is greater than anything or anyone else.  Forgive me for the times that I give up too easily because I fail to call on you to strengthen me so I can trust you in all things.  Help me to use my daily visits and talks with you to gain the power I need to overcome the challenges satan asks you to place before me as tests. Amen.