Month: April 2015

Unshaken

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day four) 

It was a fearsome experience…the children of Israel had never seen anything like it.  The Lord descended on Mt. Sinai with thunder and lightning…smoke and earthquake…trumpet and fire.  The people trembled.  What an awesome display of power!  The writer of Hebrews said, “But you have come to Mount Zion…” (Hebrews 12:18-24)  If you think His warning on earth was fierce, wait until you see His warning from heaven.  You do not want to refuse Him!  (Hebrews 12:25-29)  The earth trembled at Mt. Sinai, but at Mt. Zion, the things that can be shaken will be removed.  The new covenant promises a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  We must serve God with acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  With gratitude, we serve a holy and omnipotent God!

Almighty

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day three)

“Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.”  Here are three things that are true: First, God–and only God–has the original authority to determine who may continue to live; second, human beings will always–always–harm one another when they act according to what is right in their own eyes; and third, we will know God’s goodness when–and only when–we believe his words.

Preparation

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day two) 

The Lord also said to Moses,“Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people”. Exodus 19:10-11

The Lord was on the move and about to establish his law for the nation of Israel, but before he spoke to Moses he commanded that all the people should prepare themselves to hear from him. Preparation for anything like a sports season (Go Cardinals) or an event (wedding, birth, meetings, etc.) helps to minimize surprises and make ready for contingencies. This doesn’t mean things always go to plan, but being ready helps to focus on the event itself. It also helps to bring greater satisfaction. When you are prepared you are able to receive a greater blessing.

How much do we prepare ourselves when we meet each week? What is your expectation for bible study or worship? Spend time consecrating your focus on the Lord and expect to meet him. The blessing will be worth the preparation.

Pastors and Teachers

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 19:1-12, 16-22 (day one) 

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.”–v 21.

“And He gave some as apostles and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.”—Ephesians 4:11.

One expression of God’s love for the church is to provide leadership.  As Baptist Christ-followers, we believe in the “priesthood of the believer”.  No priest is necessary in order for us to pray.  This does not mean, however, that we do not NEED leaders to teach, strengthen, challenge, correct and warn us.  (One mistake is to make TOO MUCH of leaders.  The other is to make TOO LITTLE.)  Moses is that faithful leader.  He carries the words of God to the people.  Hard words?  Sometimes.  Limits to personal freedom?  Often. “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.”—2 Timothy 4:2.

Three days

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day seven) 
“For three days they traveled in the desert without finding any water.”—15:22.  Ever wonder why God makes us wait?  Wait in prayer?  Persevere in an unfair situation?  If it is possible for God to provide in an immediate, timely way (and it IS possible), why would He do otherwise?  Part of the answer is that waiting (endurance) is part of the process by which the human heart learns  trust (unlearns sin).  “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”—Romans 5:3-4 (Living Translation).  Hate to wait?  Want your answers now?  You are headed for difficulty.  A wise and loving God has chosen to ask you, in certain times and seasons, to walk in faith, to wait (without sight) for His promised help.  Hmmm. . . where have I heard “three days” before?

Blood, Sweat, and Grace

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day six)

Exodus 15:25
The Exodus is an expose’ on the human condition. From the beginning it casts the Hebrews as a desperate and sinful people; it makes no effort to paint a romantic or rosy picture. Save the brief moment of worship after crossing the Red Sea, they grumble and complain at every turn, and when given the opportunity they disobey God. Their condition looks bleak.

If you are like me, there is the slightest temptation to pass judgement, but the truth is the Exodus exposes our own frail condition. Try as we might, we are simply unable to faithfully follow God. We are desperate and sinful, and broken and self-absorbed. We don’t need a savior because we struggle getting our act together some of the time, we need a savior because we are unable to do anything at all. Given the test we will fail it time and time again.

“But God being rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4-8),” and full of grace, not only makes provision for them in their most desperate moments but also reveals his glory to them(Exodus 16:10). When we would have long washed our hands of them, God graciously reveals his glory to them. What grace! Ultimately the greatest display of the glory of God is in the resurrection of His Son, which both afforded His grace to His people in the dessert thousands of years ago, and to us today!

What a grand story of blood, sweat, and grace!

Sunday is coming!

Oh and don’t forget about the Unbroken Marriage event on April 10th!
Check the website for more details.

God’s Economy

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day five)

Exodus 16:  4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction”.

God continues to be faithful in providing provision and protection to the Israelites.  God demonstrates His generosity and kindness to His People.  Yet, He “measures” it out on a daily basis.  Needs are met and obedience is required.  What lessons and insights could be gained by collecting manna each and every morning?  Perhaps God is teaching them (and us), faith and trust marked with daily discipline and determination is His recommended pattern for growth and grace.

The focus shifts from victory (centered more on man) to obedience (centered directly on God).  Sounds like Jesus’ prayer, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

What Is It?

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day four)
Verse 15 – When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.  And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.”  The Israelites knew that God was sending food…they would have meat in the evening and bread in the morning.  When they saw it in the morning though, they did not know what it was.  They didn’t recognize God’s provision.  God later promised them a Messiah…one who would come and save them.  For years they waited and anticipated the arrival of their messiah that would deliver Israel from their oppressors.  A baby was born…maybe He was the one…but He had no army and then He was crucified.  Israel saw the Messiah and said, “What is it?”  They didn’t recognize God’s provision.  How often do we miss God’s provision in our lives simply because it doesn’t look like we expect?

Deal

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-18 (day three)

“You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”  Perhaps there were times that the Israelites had legitimate complaints against Moses.  He was not perfect, after all.  But this was not one of those times.  The Israelites weren’t chafing against some plan that Moses had drawn up; they were calling into question the total resettlement initiative—and that was God’s project.  The Lord was breaking them free from not only forced servitude, but from the entire Egyptian worldview.  He was forming them into a people who could think straight.  Their grumbling gave evidence that they had not grasped that radical reality.  But the words Moses spoke to them called their attention to God’s activity in the midst of these circumstances.  The time will come when we all have to deal with God—and Moses tells them that time is now.