Friday, November 29, 2013

A Pot Full

O.T. #178  "A Pot Full"
Nov. 29, 2013
Exodus 16-Part 1
The Israelites said them, "If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death." Exodus 16:3 NIV


LET IT GLOW

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family.
How many of us recall growing up with our Thanksgiving dinner around a pot full of turkey. Yes, Mom had a special roaster pan that she cook tom in. I have it in my cabinets, but have used it only a few time since her passing. Growing up, there were only five of us at the table, but we ate turkey leftovers all the rest of the week. I understand all the work that goes into cooking a turkey, the old fashioned way, that is. You have to get up with the chickens in order for tom to get done by noon.
Today, people take shortcuts by frying tom, microwaving tom, even only the breast.
If we don't have a turkey for Thanksgiving, would we grumble and complain like the members of my gang?
So much to be thankful for, huh?  There are so many women in the world who live without a stove or a turkey or chicken to cook. Yes, how blessed we are people of America.
What if we don't get our favorite dessert? How do we/I react? I'll leave it at that.

They are on the move again, the Israelites. Had to leave the resort of well water and palm trees. For some it would be exciting to continue this adventurous journey. For others, it would mean walking by faith in a God they had only heard about, not experienced too much. (Although they saw the Red Sea parted, Egyptian army drowned, 10 plagues, their first-born saved from death, which were all God's doing.) Perhaps reluctant ones had to pack up again and move, to where, they didn't know, except a Promised Land of milk and honey.
Which group are we be in today? If God told us to move, out of our chair, our house, our job, our church, how would we react?

LET IT GROW

No leftovers, no mess to clean up, no need for an afternoon nap, we ate our Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant, first time ever. Oh we weren't alone, my brother in law, his wife and daughter joined us, alone with many others, known as strangers to us. I did do some serving, though, I gave our table their fork to use.
Yes, we sat around pots of meat (turkey, chicken, steak, beef) like the Israelites did in Egypt. Yes, we ate all the food we wanted, like the Israelites did in Egypt. Today we have none of those foods to eat-salads, vegetables, deserts, meats, breads of all kinds. Today is not a leftover day for us. Neither was it for the Israelites a month after leaving Egypt. They longed for what food they had back there.

Swindoll, in his study guide, Moses, God's Man For A Crisis, identifies this as the second of three tests God gave Israel as The Hunger Test:
Verse 3 shows that they conveniently focused on the few benefits they had in Egypt while completely ignoring the many sufferings that had been inflicted on them there. With this unjust complaint ringing in their ears, Moses and Aaron told the people that their grumblings were actually directed against God. (my emphasis), not them (verses 7b, 8b).

We will discuss what God used to provide and how He supplied for two million people. Although they never went hungry, their lack of variety in the food God supplied for them still brought griping and complaining. Aren't we people the same way? If we have to eat the same cereal for breakfast in a week, we complain.

But they ate, and ate, and ate...

LET IT GO

Stop thinking back about the cuisine that was on the table yesterday and be thankful for what I have to eat today.

Thank God that He provides and for His provisions.

Thank Him for a free nation in which to live, for a warm house in the cold winter, food in the cabinets and freezer, jobs to provide money, etc.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.1 Thessalonians 5:16-19





Thursday, November 28, 2013

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Our day is not going to be the traditional T-day. We are meeting my husband's brother and wife at a restaurant to eat and who knows about later(1st time). Our son and family are heading to Dallas to help box up for shipping out the shoeboxes for children, of whom I am proud. Our daughter has been baking pies with her kids, preparing for today. Wish we could be with them.
I did bake 2 pecan pies last week. We spent two days in Branson for R & R, celebrating our 41st anniversary. Had a great time.
So, I'd like to hear about how you spent today.


Psalm 100 says:
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing,
Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

My family has so much to be thankful for as I am sure yours does too.

I will try to post tomorrow, back in Exodus.

Blessings of the Lord Jesus to your family,
Linda

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

A Resort in the Desert

O.T. #177  "A Resort in the Desert"
Nov. 27, 2013
Exodus 15-Part 4
And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and three-score and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.  Exodus 15:27

LET IT GLOW

A few years ago, we took a business trip to Sands Springs, California. We flew over desert, desert, desert. Then we landed in this beautiful airport with palm trees. I had never seen such an airport with connections outside. I could not believe my eyes as we rode a bus to the exquisite resort. A lake, a golf course, beautiful flowers, palm trees were awaiting us. It was a resort, alright, a resort in the desert. I think the Israelites came to their resort in the desert. First, let's recall what happened previously.

Here we find the Israelites on their journey to Mt. Sinai. Everything was good. However, They ran out of drinking water. After three days marching in the wilderness, they found water at Marah, but it was too bitter to drink. So they complained to Moses, who prayed to God, and He turned the water from bitter to sweet when Moses threw a tree into the stream. Did they learn that it is better to pray than to complain? Did we?

Traveling on, they came to a place of rest, a type of modern Sand Springs, California kind of place. It was Elim, an oasis in the desert. Moses recorded the exact number of wells (12) and palm trees (10).
Although, I wonder how 2 million people got under the shade of only 10 trees. It probably didn't matter to them. They saw hope and relief from the hot sun.

The trial at Marah was brief, but God's blessings on the people at Elim were extended. God's loving-kindness toward us is abundant. (Falwell)

Have you found relief in God while you were going through a trial? Have you felt His lovingkindness?

LET IT GROW

While the Israelites sojourned in the wilderness, their responses to God's tests often followed a pattern that we still repeat today. Here's the cycle Charles Swindoll informs us:
1. Abundance from God.
2. Expectations of More.
3. Disappointments with Less.
4. Complaints over Circumstances.
5.  Provisions from God.

We find three tests that God gave to Israel:
1. The Time Test.
2. The Hunger Test.
3. The Thirst Test.

The Time Test was the first exam which the Lord gave to His people at Elim. Then He led them out from Elim to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. This occurred 1 1/2 months after their miraculous departure from the land of Egypt (16:1) They moved from the abundance of Elim into the barrenness of Sin. This led to their complaining against Moses and Aaron (verse 2). After only a short period of time, the Israelites were already disregarding the mighty ways God had met their needs.

I am that way, too. I tend to forget about the wonderful things God does for me and then a trial comes and I complain. It doesn't take very long, either.
Thanksgiving is coming. For what are we thankful, friends?

LET IT GO

Praise God as I go on my journey of life.

Recall His great deeds and thank Him.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Stuck in Sand

O.T. #176  "Stuck in Sand"
Nov. 26, 2013
Exodus 15-Part 4
There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them.
 Exodus 15:25c NIV

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been stuck in sand and water while in a van loaded with people? That happened to me on my mission team a year ago past summer. We only wanted to go to the beach. A hurricane had hit the Dominican Republic earlier and made a mess of roads and bridges. We tried to detour, but we got stuck instead. So a few of the younger guys got out of the van and pushed it to more solid ground.
Being stuck was a helpless feeling. If we had all needed to empty out the van in order for it to go, that would have made us women very upset. I can see us up to our midcalfs and shoes. We did make it out, though, and headed back. If you have ever felt stuck in a difficult or bad situation, let God pull you out. He has strong arms of love.

Okay, when reading chapter 15, I realized that I'm stuck in the city of Marah (bitter) with Miriam (rebellious). What a place to be. What a person to be with, huh? Have you been there too? Somehow I skimmed over this, but found it, and wanted to share it. "It" is found in...

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament says:
It would be wonderful to linger at the seaside and praise the Lord, but the believer is a pilgrim and must follow God's leading. How strange that God should lead them to a place without water. Yet God must discipline His children so that they (my emphasis) may discover their own hearts. This experience (bitter water) taught the people of Israel some valuable lessons:

1. About life
    Life is a combination of the bitter and sweet, triumphs, and trials. We must accept the bitter waters
    with the sweet, knowing that God knows what is best for us.

2. About themselves
    Life is a great laboratory, and each experience x-rays our hearts to reveal what we really are. The
    waters revealed that the Jews were:
  • worldly, thinking only of bodily satisfaction;
  • walking by sight, expecting to be satisfied by the world;
  • ungrateful, complaining to God when trials came their way.

3. About the Lord
    God knows the need because He plans the way. He used the tree (suggesting the cross, 1Peter 2:24)
    to make the bitter waters sweet. He is Jehovah-Rapha, "The Lord Who Heals."

God did not bring them into the wilderness so they could die there. He wanted them to worship and follow Him, establishing a unique and peculiar nation.

Do we worship and serve God when life is bitter? Even if He doesn't answer our desperate prayer in order for His will to be accomplished? do we worship and serve God when life is sweet? Or do we get busy with and doing things instead?

LET IT GROW

Before moving on, God promised Israel a long-ranged exemption from the diseases of Egypt, conditioned upon the people's continued obedience. (Falwell)

God says He will not bring on them any diseases which He brought on the Egyptians, for He is the LORD, who heals, if  they will:
  • listen carefully to the voice of the LORD thy God,
  • do what is right in God's eyes,
  • pay attention to God's commands,
  • keep His decrees.
Healeth (raw-faw') means to mend, to cure. Jehovah-Rapha refers to The LORD who heals.

Do we listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to us?
Do we do what is right in God's eyes?
Do we pay attention to God's commands? Do we daily read His Word so we know what He says to us?
Do we keep His decrees? Do we know what they are?

Things to think about, friends.

LET IT GO

Praise the Lord during bitter/sweet times.

X-ray my heart; self-examination.

Take my needs to the foot of the cross; to the One who heals-Jehovah Rapha.










Monday, November 25, 2013

41st Anniversary

Friends,
Today is our 41st anniversary, so you will excuse me for not writing today, won't you? We are going to have a couple of "get away" days, just the two of us. So I spent the weekend preparing little gifts for my beloved. He loves pecan pie, but don't tell him I have one ready for our dinner.

How blessed we are! We have 2 wonderful children and 6 precious grandchildren. Oh how blessed!

As I was reading the Psalms, I read Ps. 25:10-All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and his testimonies.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps. 27:1

Mercy and Truth are walking with us on our road of faith. The Lord is our light, showing us the way. Why are we afraid? He is our strength.

Though we don't  know how many days we have left together, we can trust them with God. We can be grateful for those we have had. We can look forward to eternity that He provides.

Have a great day, ya'll. I am going to.

Linda

Friday, November 22, 2013

The Mumble and Grumble Gang

O.T. #175  "The Mumble and Grumble Gang"
Nov. 22, 2013
Exodus 15-Part 3
So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" Exodus 15:24 NIV

LET IT GLOW

How many times, when our son was growing up, did I hear him ask what was for supper before he finished eating lunch? Do boys ever get their belly full? We talk about them having hollow legs when they are teenagers. I don't think it ever stops when they become an adult. Eating is a habit, a hobby, a pleasure, a weakness, a must, and a requirement for survival. Drinking can be included. We have to eat and drink in order to keep living. However, we don't have to daily drink liquor, soda pop, punch, sweetened water. Are we thankful for plain water that God provides for us? Are we any different from the Israelites?

We just heard, rather, we read the first song recorded in the Bible. It was sung by Moses and his sister Mariam.
Exodus began with sighing, but because of redemption, we now see the nation singing. Note that this song exalts God, for the Lord is referred to at least forty-five times in these eighteen verses. 'They praised God for His:
  • redemption (verses 1-10),
  • guidance (verses 11-13),
  • and victory (verses 14-17). (Wiersbe)
Miriam led the choir of women as they praised the Lord. They also played tambourines. Shouldn't we do the same?

Verse 18 NIV says, The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Jesus, the Son of God shall be king of all and for all eternity.
Psalm 103:19 states, The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.
Our God has always been in control. Is He on the throne our life?
Daniel 4:34c says, His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

Oh, how people need to recognize this! It is comforting to me to know God has always been, is now in our present time, and will be always reigning. Isaiah calls Him Everlasting Father.
How do you feel about this?

LET IT GROW

Moses and Aaron talked about the Israelites traveling into the desert. Actually, they talked to Pharaoh more than ten times about his giving them permission for their journey to go worship God in the desert. We know how that turned out. (Scriptures do not say if Pharaoh drowned with his army or not. I just always assumed he led them, but maybe not.)

We just read of the special provision of escape and victory God gave the Israelites. Now they pick up and march for three days in the wilderness. Remember, there are about 2 million of these folks.

So what happens to the Israelites?
  • They went 3 days in the wilderness and found no water (verse 22).  Do you think they were grumbling and thirsty?
  • They came to a place called Marah. Marah, (pronounced maw-raw'), means bitter, to rebel, be disobedient, to disobey. I think the Israelites were at the right place, for it reflected their attitude.
  • They could not drink the waters of Marah for they were bitter.
  • The people murmured against Moses. (NIV uses "grumbled") They didn't trust God to supply their needs.
  • They asked, "What are we to drink?"

The personalized declarations of their ode to the Lord sung three days earlier vanished into thin air. Their belief of Moses faded out of the picture. (MacArthur)

What did Moses do? He cried out to the LORD (verse 25).
God immediately showed Moses what to do to make the waters sweet. He showed Moses a piece of wood, a tree. Moses threw it into the bitter water and it became sweet water.

This must have been a miracle by which God demonstrated His willingness and ability to look after His people in a hostile environment. (MacArthur)

Can we throw a piece of wood and make the bitter sweet? When we hear a conversation going south, people expressing criticism and bitterness, we can throw in a few words of encouragement and turn the discussion into sweet talk. I need to develop this skill. Also, I need to get out of the mumble and grumble gang.
About what do we mumble and grumble?

LET IT GO

Sing praises to my Lord Jesus all the day long.

Keep Him on the throne of my life and heart.

Leave the mumble and grumble words, changing them into sweet words.

Get me a tambourine and sing.









Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Terrible Tongue or a Tambourine

O.T. #174 "A Terrible Tongue or a Tambourine"
Nov. 21, 2013
Exodus 15-Part 2
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Exodus 15:20

LET IT GLOW

Five of us from our women's Bible study group went to Tulsa last September to attend a Living Proof Live event with Beth Moore as the speaker. We had a hoot getting away for two days and one night with just us gals. We ate, sang, laughed, cried, and came home exhausted and refreshed. May I include that we also had some wonderful spiritual time with the Lord. Beth taught from Exodus chapter 15, and I wanted to share my notes:

1. When God says, "Go forward!" don't even think about standing still.
     How many seas did He part for us and we stood still?
     God is willing to stand for us and fight for us.
     God's will overrides our enemies' will.
     It took one night for God to take Israel out of Egypt and 40 years to take Egypt out of Israel.
    
2. Nobody appreciates deliverance like those who've nearly been destroyed.
    Our battles are morally, mentally, bodily, healthy, and ministry.
    This journey we're on is more dangerous than we thought.
    Our enemy is deadlier than we dreamed.
    Our God is closer and mightier than we have the capacity to imagine.
    We are not where we used to be.
   
3. When faith takes a journey, it packs a tambourine.
    Miriam, Moses' sister, is in her 90's and Moses is in his 80's during this time.
    Miriam means bitter, God's gift, beloved, defiant. Which are you?
    Expect God to be faithful; we don't know when we will need a tambourine, so pack it.

4. The song of Moses is not just historic, it is prophetic.
    In Revelation 15, we read of seven angels with harps singing the song of Moses and the song of the
    Lamb.

Are we praising the Lord? Are we leading other women to praise Him? Are we standing still when God tells us to go somewhere? Are we ready to shake our tambourine?


LET IT GROW

5. The fulfillment of our purpose can be abbreviated or derailed by our mouths.
    In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron questioned Moses' marrying a Cushite woman and if God only
    spoke to Moses. (Mariam ends up with leprosy and separated from camp for a while. She didn't
    like a dark skinned woman, so her skin became white, which was naturally brown.)
    Pride caused Miriam to usurp Moses' authority.
    We misuse our mouth and misuse our body.

6. Nothing mars the appearance of a woman like her clawing for control.
    Every woman wants to be in charge. WIC stands for Woman In Charge.
    Why do we turn on our girlfriends?  We feel threatened by another woman.
    Don't be threatened by other women and don't be a threat to other women.

7. We are anointed and gifted women of God called to embrace our own place.
    You have a place, a reason you are here.
    Sing to the Lord.
    We will have our tambourine moment.

Are we submissive to authorities over us or are we rebellious and a WIC? How closely do we watch what we say?

LET IT GO

Control my tongue.

When God says for me to go, then I go.

Bless the Lord; sing His praises; share what marvelous things He has done.

Pack me a tambourine for my journey. Are you with me?
   
    
   


 
    

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Singing

O.T. #173  "Singing"
Nov. 20, 2013
Exodus 15-Part 1
I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. Exodus 15:1b

LET IT GLOW

For some reason or other, I had stopped singing in the church choir. I was singing in the pew. Then the Lord convicted me of not using my voice for Him. Now I am practicing for the Christmas choir cantata. Soon I will be able to join the choir singing praises to Jesus my Savior.
When things are going good or a prayer is answered, a song naturally comes out of my mouth. (My sister's cancer is not in her lymph nodes.) So why wouldn't it be a natural thing for Moses, Miriam, and the children of Israel to sing a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God? After all, He delivered His children from slavery after 400 years. These Hebrews now feared the Lord, believed in Him, and Moses, God's servant (14:31). This chapter is written differently by Moses.

Liberty Bible Commentary  describes it this way:
The theme of this psalm written in Hebrew poetry is God. His character and great works are manifest. The character of Hebrew poetry is to repeat each phrase or line in similar words in the next line, or to contrast two thoughts. Most of this poem is in synonymous parallel structure. It is helpful to read this poem in one of the versions that place the phrases in a blank verse type arrangement (as ASV, NASB, NIV).
I began reading chapter 15 in the New International Version. Then I noticed it was divided into verses of a song like this:

1. The LORD is...
  • highly exalted,
  • my strength,
  • my song,
  • my salvation,
  • my God,
  • a warrior,
  • named LORD,
  • the One who hurled Pharaoh's officers, chariots, his army, horse and rider in the Red Sea.
2. The LORD's right hand...
  • was majestic in power,
  • shattered the enemy,
  • threw down those who opposed Him,
  • unleashed His burning anger, consumed them like stubble.
3. The LORD's nostrils blasted...
  • piled up the waters,
  • stood the surging waters firm like a wall,
  • congealed the deep waters in the heart of the sea.

God is awesome. His supernatural acts are awe-inspiring. Are we thankful for all He has done for us?

LET IT GROW


4. The LORD's enemy...
  • boasted that they would pursue the Israelites,
  • they would overtake the Israelites,
  • divide the spoils,
  • would gorge themselves on them,
  • draw their sword and destroy the Israelites.
5. The LORD...
  • stretched out His hand and the earth swallowed the Egyptians,
  • lead His redeemed people in His unfailing love,
  • guided them in His strength to His holy dwelling. 
Thankfulness is foundational to the Christian life. It is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source. As Christians, we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God's children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart. Our worship, prayers, service, and daily life ought to be saturated with thanksgiving to God. (Blackaby)

LET IT GO

Sing praises to the Lord God, for He has given me life and breath.

Give Him thanks.

Exalt the Lord above all things.



 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Treading Deep Water

O.T. #172  "Treading Deep Water"
Nov. 19, 2013
Exodus 14-Part 4
And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and His servant Moses.  Exodus 14:31

LET IT GLOW

I don't do well in water that is over my head. In fact, I usually avoid it altogether. Oh, I can swim fine, even tread water, but it scares me. Deep water over my head has always scared me despite growing up near a creek where I learned to swim. If I can't see the bottom, forget it. I ain't going in. And don't even think of splashing water in my face or dunking me, or you'll have a fight on your hands. Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy swimming, just in a shallow pool.

Looking back, there were times in my life which seemed to have me scared and in the depths of despair. I was treading the roaring waters of worry instead of walking on dry ground of faith.
Shall we see which way the Egyptian army reacted to their deep sea?

We recall that the Egyptians chased after their former slaves after experiencing the plagues of God. He protected His people by coming between the Egyptian army and Israel using darkness to stop their pursuit with a dark cloud, while the Israelites crossed the sea with light from a pillar of fire. God parted the sea with a strong wind, and it continued to stay in place while 2 million Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land on dry ground.

How did the LORD save the Israelites?
  • The Egyptians lost their wheels on the chariots in the midst of the Red Sea.
  • The Egyptians realized that the LORD was fighting for the Israelites and wanted to flee.
  • The LORD told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, which resulted in the waters returning to its origin.
  • The Egyptian armies lost their lives by drowning in the Red Sea.
  • Not one man in the army survived.

In reference to this event, Psalm 77:17-19 comments found in  Liberty Bible Commentary says:

God had made a way for the Israelites to escape the treacheries of Pharaoh and his armies. In the deep secret channels of the Red Sea, God had prepared the pathway. It is not for man to attempt to understand the way God leads, but simply to trust the way He leads. It is God who leads His people by the hand of His servants Moses and Aaron. When we have successfully traversed the depths of despair, we will be able to look back and recognize that we have been led through by the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1Peter 2:25). (my emphasis)
Are we letting the Lord lead us through our deep waters of life with His hand?

LET IT GROW

The results of that experience were:
  • salvation from Egypt,
  • destruction of the Egyptian army,
  • Israel's respect, fear, and trust in God,
  • Israel's acceptance of Moses as the true spokesman for God. (Falwell)

Charles Swindoll gives us four lessons from this chapter:
1. It takes tight places to break lifetime habits.
2. When hemmed in on all sides, the only place to look is up.
3. If the Lord is to get the glory, the He must do the fighting.
4. "Red Seas" open and close at the Lord's command, not until.

Remember, friend, you are an over comer. Stay in the fight until the final round. Don't go under and give up. He is holding you in His hand. Take hope. Don't give in. Kick when the depths of despair are getting deep for you. Cry out to Jesus for help when your "Red Sea" Experience seems hopeless.

LET IT GO

Let God be God.

When experiencing tight places, feeling hemmed, fighting alone, then keep walking by faith and cross over my Red Sea.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name. (Ps. 100:4)

*Dear believers, will you please pray for my only sister (age 69) today as she has breast cancer surgery? I will update you as I hear news. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in reading, praying, and encouraging me.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Raging Seas

O.T. #171  "Raging Seas"
Nov. 18, 2013
Exodus 14-Part 3
The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt.  Exodus 14:25

LET IT GLOW

There are so many raging seas out there in life-rebellious children, marriages on the brink of divorce, illnesses and diseases, job losses and business closings, financial burdens. The list can go on. You are either in the midst experiencing it or have just survived it. Perhaps you know of someone there right now. It may be a life and death situation. Both my sister in law and sister face breast cancer. One came through two surgeries in order to remove it, while the other awaits surgery. Our church youth director has had it return for the third time, requiring extensive chemotherapy treatments. Will you please pray for my loved ones. (My husband is having a nuclear stress test to check his heart early this morning.)

Looking in chapter 14, it happened one night, the last fourth hour watch, between 2 and 6 a.m. before the sunrise. It was not an ordinary night, for millions of people experienced and saw the miraculous power of Almighty God.
We left the Egyptians camped on the dark side of the cloud near the Red Sea. God had placed a dark cloud between the Egyptians and the Israelites, who were encamped at the shore of the Red Sea. The LORD told Moses His plan and they executed it as follows:
  • During that night, it remained light on the Israelites' side of the cloud, so they could see where they were going.
  • Moses stretched out his hand, his rod, his staff, over the sea. (NIV verse 21)
  • All that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry ground.
  • The waters were divided and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
The cloud of darkness on the Egyptians prevented the Hebrews from seeing the Egyptians so that their fear would not paralyze them. God miraculously created a path of escape through the Red Sea.
(Swindoll)

What a frightful time that the Israelites must have experienced-light at night, the Egyptian army waiting to capture them, stepping between two walls of water over their heads, and walking slowly in a crowd of 2 million people carrying your children on dry ground. It must have taken quite some time for those 2 million believers to cross over to the other side.

The crossing of the Red Sea is a type of the believer's union with Christ in death to the old life and resurrection to a whole new life. (Wiersbe)

Have you been there, sweet one? Are you facing your Red Sea, with no where to turn? Start walking forward to Jesus, and see Him part your troubled waters. His mercy will make the raging sea split open as you take Jesus' hand and you walk by faith through this problem with Him, safely getting to the other side. Give glory to your Savior.
One way or the other, friend, your safe shore is awaiting, either on earth or in heaven.

LET IT GROW

It must have been a long night for the Egyptian army and Pharaoh. Were they pacing back and forth in darkness? Was frustration and angry rage growing stronger by the minute?

How did it all end?
  • When the time was right, they pursued the Israelites, Pharaoh's horses, chariots, horsemen entering into the sea.
  • Then their wheels of their chariots came off so that they had difficulty driving. God did it.
  • The Egyptians wanted to get away from the Israelites.
  • The LORD is fighting for them (Israel) against Egypt! This realization came too late.
  • As the LORD told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, God made the waters flow back to its place, thus not one of the Egyptians survived but drown.
Will we drown in our sea of trials and troubles, or will we walk by faith through them, and cross over on the other side? Are the waves taking you under? Hold onto just a little bit longer. Take Jesus' hand and He will help you get through this. Believe me! Trust Him!


LET IT GO

Walk by faith, not by sight.

Walk through my/our raging Red Sea by faith.

Hold onto Jesus as He holds onto me/us.

Remember that the Lord is fighting for me/you.

Look to the other side that awaits me/us.








Friday, November 15, 2013

Facing Your Red Sea

O.T. #170  "Facing Your Red Sea"
Nov. 14, 2013
Exodus 14-Part 2
So not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.
Exodus 14:13a,b NIV

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been between a rock and a hard spot? Have you obeyed God in a particular situation concerning your family, job, or church to have it not be working out like you thought God wanted it to happen? That is when our faith in God's faithfulness must kick in, friend. He keeps His Word. Are you facing your Red Sea? Do you need to see His deliverance today? Continue reading.

Pharaoh's army was in hot pursuit and the Israelites were panicking. They had three options-let the Egyptians capture them, fight the Egyptian army, or have faith in God to deliver them once again. They faced the moving Red Sea. A sea was in front and an army was in back. What to do. Which way do we look, forward, backward, or upward?

We read where the Israelites accused Moses of taking them to the wilderness to die. It would have been better for them to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert, so they thought and said. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

Israel had less than 600,000 fighting men. The poorly trained, inadequately equipped, militarily unprepared, and inexperienced Israelite (13:17) were no match for Pharaoh's experienced troops and his highly trained and mobilized chariot force. (MacArthur)

When the children of Israel reached the Red Sea, they might have concluded that God had abandoned His promise to them. The sea was barring their advance, and the murderous Egyptian army was racing to overtake them! No one has ever experienced unfaithfulness on God's part! Allow time for God to reveal His faithfulness to you. Someday you will reflect on what God has done and praise Him for His absolute faithfulness to you.  (Blackaby)

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

What was Moses' reply to the doubting Israelites? Here is his answer in verses 13 and 14 found first listed in King James Version, then in  (New International Version):
  • Fear ye not. (Do not be afraid.)
  • Stand still. (Stand firm.)
  • See the salvation of the LORD. (You will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.)
  • For the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. (The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.)
  • The LORD shall fight for you. (The LORD will fight for you.)
  • Ye shall hold your peace. (You need only to be still.)
God was on their side. They could not win that battle on their own strength. God would fight for His children. It is important that we stand still before we "go forward" (verse 15), for unless we are standing by faith, we can never walk by faith.  (Wiersbe)

Are we still long enough to hear God tell us which way to go?

LET IT GROW

What did the LORD say to Moses?
  • Why are you crying out to Me?
  • Speak to the children of Israel that they may go forward.
  • Raise your staff and stretch over the sea to divide the water so the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
  • I will gain glory through Pharaoh, all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.
  • The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.
The LORD promised deliverance to overrule all despair and hopelessness for Israel and us.

What happened?
The Angel of the Lord, a pillar of dark cloud and fiery cloud changed the advancing guard withdrew to being a rear guard of Egyptians.
What a sight! The LORD was between the army of Egypt and the children of Israel all night. What was dark to one was light to the other. Neither went near the other all night.

How do we look at our troubles and trials? Is it darkness, defeat, or despair to our life or do we let the light of Jesus shine on it giving us hope and faith?

We are leaving the Israelites on the edge of the Sea. What will happen? We have an advantage of being able to look back at their dilemma and read how it turns out. We don't have that advantage for our problems. We wish we could see how it turns out, but then it wouldn't require faith, would it?
The just are to live by faith, for that is what pleases God.

LET IT GO

Stand firm and be still.

Let go and let God have our problem.

See Him work, then give God the glory for the victory.




Thursday, November 14, 2013

Which is Better?

O.T. #169  "Which is Better?"
Nov. 14, 2013
Exodus 14-Part 1
So the Israelites did this.  Exodus 14:4

LET IT GLOW

After reading our key verse, you may wonder what the Israelites did. They were in a dilemma. Which is better-to stay a slave, in bondage to sin, walk by sight, or to be free and walk by faith in Almighty God? Sometimes we face the same thing. I had.

God gave Moses some specific instructions as to where to go. Here we see two million Israelites camped by a peaceful sea.
Meanwhile, back in Egypt...
Pharaoh the king and his servants changed their minds about letting the Israelites leave Egypt. They lost a large labor force that could lead to an economic disaster. Also, with the defeat of their gods, by the LORD, they were insulted.

What did God do?
  • He hardened Pharaoh's heart again.
  • He caused the Egyptians to follow after the Israelites.
  • He would gain glory from Pharaoh and his army.
  • The Egyptians would know that God is the LORD.
Have you ever changed your mind? As women, we often do, don't we?
Do we allow God to change our mind and heart?
Do you wonder how good can turn out of this?

LET IT GROW

It wasn't just Pharaoh and his servants who went after the Israelites. He had his chariot and 600 other chariots ready to pursue the Israelites. Here we see Pharaoh with his horsemen, troops, chariots, a huge army marching toward the campers.

Here was the dilemma the Israelites had-do they give up and surrender to the Egyptian army or do they trust God to deliver them again?

How did the Israelites react?
  • They were terrified and cried out to the LORD.
  • They asked Moses why he brought them out into the wilderness to die.
  • They told Moses it would have been better for them to have served the Egyptians than to die in the desert.
I am going to leave the story there until tomorrow. If you wonder how it turns out, finish reading chapter 14.

Does our faith in God waver at times?
Do we long for the good ole days, even if they were not so good?

LET IT GO

Stay focused on Jesus.

Don't look back, but look forward.



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A Hand Shake

O.T. #168  "A Hand Shake"
Nov. 13, 2013
Exodus 13-Part 3
...for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.  Exodus 13:16

LET IT GLOW

No I haven't shaken hands with Presidents, emperors, nor famous people. However, I have shaken hands with a few popular singers in my day. Added to that list of important people that I have shaken hands with would be the executive director of our state denomination and our national woman missionary union. Those two folks are more important to me than the world's famous people. They are servants of God.
We extend our hand to many people and for various reasons. When we meet someone we know, it's as a greeting; to a stranger as a way of saying glad to meet you; to the preacher as an approval of his message; to the needy as a way of helping by lending a hand; opponents at the beginning of a sports game agreeing to play fairly. I really haven't thought about the practice or custom. It's something that I seem to do automatically.

So, just to let you know, and not disappoint you, the concordances list pages of references where the word hand is used in the Bible. There were too many definitions for me to list, but the first one listed seemed to apply to chapter 13.

In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, hand in the Hebrew language is the word yad (pronounced  yawd), which refers to an open hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.).

Dear friend, get out your Bible and turn to Exodus 13 with me. I am using the King James Version.
Now read verses 3, 9, 14, and 16. All four verses have something in common. Did you see it?

Verse 3 says, ...for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place...
Verse 9 says, ...for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Verse 14 says, ...by strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, and from the house
                           of bondage.
Verse 16 says, ...for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

Whose hand is it?   (The LORD's hand)
How is this hand described? (having strength and being strong)
What did the LORD's hand do? (It brought them out of Egypt, bondage.)

Moses is recognizing that the LORD God did it. It wasn't Moses nor Aaron that had the power to do all those plagues and deliver the Israelites out from under the most powerful empire in the world at that time. No siree, God did it and Moses wanted everyone to know it. Here it is written in black and white.

Since God has not changed down through the ages, don't you think He is still strong enough to deliver us out of our Egypt? His powerful hand is open and He has the means to do it, dear one. Will you turn to Him today? Will you ask for God's strong hand in your life?

LET IT GROW

All right now, I don't believe in coincidences. Today I was reading what Ann Voskamp wrote on her blog: a holyexperience.com (so check it out later). Ann was writing about how we hear and say yada, yada, yada, in a meaningless manner.

Ann says yada in the Hebrew means to hold out the hand in four ways:
1. to bemoan with this wringing of hands
2. or to revere with an extending of hands
3. to confess
4. to give thanks. (Strong's Concordance)

She goes on to say that it's a good thing to yada:
  • in the midst of the wringing of hands, to extend the hand
  • hold out the hand-not as a fist to God, but in praise to God
  • give thanks-to brazenly confess that God is wholly good though the world is horribly not. 
  • don't stop giving thanks and holding up hands and taking His hand.
  • God is good.
I wonder if we wring our hands, not sure what to do in a situation instead of extending them toward God in praise. Can we, will we, do we trust Him to take care of the problem and give thanks beforehand?

Jesus has all the power in the world combined, and more, yet He graciously restrained it when He stretched out His hands and arms to be nailed to the cross for you and me. Such love and mercy!
Now Jesus is stretching out his hands to you-come dear one.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek, and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Will you come now?

LET IT GO

Thank You, Jesus for Your strong hands of love and mercy.

Hold up my hands to God in praise.

Take Jesus' hand and follow Him.

May I hold out my hands in Your love and mercy to others.

Yada, yada, yada.






 




 

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Remembered and Redeemed

O. T. #167  "Remembered and Redeemed"
Nov. 12, 2013
Exodus 13-Part 2
Redeem every firstborn among your sons.  Exodus 13:13b

LET IT GLOW

What were the Israelites to remember when the Lord brought them into the Promised Land?
  • eat bread without yeast six days before the Passover; no food with yeast is to be in their possession;
  • observe the Passover meal at the appointed time year after year;
  • tell their son what the LORD did for them when they left Egypt;
  • the Passover would be like a sign on their hand, a symbol on their forehead, and the law of the LORD on their lips.
As Christians, we remember what Jesus did for us as we partake of the Lord's Supper. Grape juice reminds us of Jesus shedding His blood for our sins. The unleavened bread reminds us that Jesus gave His body in our place as a payment for our sins. Many denominations observe it at different times. We are not told how often, but how to remember-in the remembrance of Christ.

Do we take time to explain the Passover and Lord's Supper to our children?

LET IT GROW

Looking at verse 13, I wondered what it meant, so I dug a little deeper.

Redeem (padah in Hebrew, said paw-daw') means to sever, ransom, to release, rescue in Strong's Concordance.

If the firstborn was unacceptable to sacrifice (an unclean animal or a human) a substitute was offered to redeem the firstborn from God. If the firstborn was an animal the substitute was a clean animal. It the firstborn was a human, the substitute was money.  (David Guzik)

If they did not redeem their firstborn donkeys with a lamb, they were to break its neck. They were to redeem every firstborn among their sons. (verse 14)

Jesus is our Redeemer (means to free, by avenging or repaying). The book of Isaiah mentions the LORD as Redeemer often. Has He redeemed you, my friend? Have you trusted that  Jesus paid for your sins by dying on the cross? Sin must be paid for by blood, by God's requirements.

Have we taught our children and grandchildren that Jesus is our Redeemer?

LET IT GO

Remember my Redeemer and Savior Jesus and what He did for me so I am free from the penalty of my sins.

Thank You, Jesus!





Monday, November 11, 2013

Set Apart

O.T. "Set Apart"
Nov. 11, 2013
Exodus 13-Part 1
Sanctify unto me all the firstborn...  Exodus 13:2

LET IT GLOW

In my cabinet is a set of red dishes, mugs and dessert plates, set apart for use at Christmastime. That is the only time that I use them. They are special to me because they say, "Jesus is the gift-peace, love, joy." The Israelites were to set apart something for God. Read on to find out what.

After a night of deliverance, the LORD gave Moses further instructions, which was apparently given on the first day of freedom at Succoth. This was the birth of a new nation, God's nation-Israel. It was a new nation under God.

The day that gave them a national existence and introduced them into the privileges of independence and freedom, deserved to live in the memories of the Hebrews and their posterity,... (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary)

Don't you like new things, new clothes, new ideas, a new year?
In Revelation, Jesus tells us that He will make new:
  • all things (21:5);
  • heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1);
  • our name (2:17);
  • Jerusalem (3:12);
  • a song (14:3);
  • heart and spirit (Ez. 18:31);
  • mercies every morning (Lam. 3:23).
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Israel did not disappear while they were in Egypt, though they could have. No, God multiplied them from 70 to 2 million. It is because of His mercies that they exited their slavery. For all of them, it was the only life they knew, except Moses.
Do you want a new heart? Repent and turn from all your sins and turn to Jesus. (Ez. 18:30)

LET IT GROW

What did the LORD tell Moses?
Sanctify the firstborn of man and beast. Young's Concordance says sanctify means to separate, set apart. Strong's Concordance says sanctify means to be, make, pronounce, or observe holy, clean (ceremonially or morally); consecrate, dedicate, hallow; be/keep holy.

What is the purpose of sanctifying the firstborn man and beast?
  1. Israel was God's firstborn (4:22), and it honored that fact.
  2. The firstborn was thought to be the best, and the best was always given to God.
  3. It was to be a reminder to all generations of when God redeemed Israel, His firstborn. (Guzik)
Even as God claimed the lives of the Egyptian firstborn, so he placed a similar claim upon Israel.
As the Egyptian firstborns were required, so the Israelite firstborns were to be given to the Lord's service. God could have taken them in the same manner, but His mercy did not. The Passover meal was eaten in remembrance of their deliverance from death and bondage. Christians remember the resurrection of Christ, for we were raised up with Christ out of death's house of bondage to sin.

Do we set apart Sunday as our day of worship, sanctifying it as unto the Lord Jesus?
Do we honor God with our first fruits, through offerings?
Do we give God our best?

LET IT GO

Leave those things that have us in bondage at the feet of Jesus.

Renew my mind daily, asking His forgiveness of my sins.

*Thankful for those serving our country in the military and those who gave their lives for our freedom. Praying for our military and their families.

















Friday, November 8, 2013

My Journey

O.T. #165  "My Journey"
Nov. 8, 2013
Exodus 12-Part 5
And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth; about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.  Exodus 12:37

LET IT GLOW

My life's journey has taken me all over my state (and one other state) to live and to visit other countries to share the gospel of Jesus. We have moved so many times in the last 40 years that in order to recall the year something happened, I think of where we lived during that time. Then I can pinpoint the year. I started out this journey as a woman in her twenty's with a husband and two children. We were not alone because we were following the Lord. We are still on a journey with Jesus.
This country road led me through the wilderness and  flourishing lands, troubles and trials, blessings and cups overflowing, hard times and easy times. However, I have not come to the end of my journey yet. (I got close several times.) The children of Israel's journey as free people was only beginning.

Can you  imagine the smile and glow on the faces of the children of Israel as they left a life of slavery and enter a life of freedom?
A nation grew from 70 men to 603,550 men from ages 20 and over (Num. 1:46). The entire group included women and children, which must have been over 2 million in total. The blessings of God was upon their multiplication (Ex. 1:7). (There were 11 generations between Jacob and Joshua in
1 Chronicles 7:22-27.)
The 70 men were the children of Israel, the family of Jacob, (who had 12 sons) moved to Goshen during a famine, while son Joseph was the second in command. They ended up staying 430 years as slaves to the Egyptians.

God had told their father Abraham that all of this would occur. It did just as He had promised-slavery and deliverance.
The children of Israel journeyed. Journeyed means to pull up, especially the tent-pins; start on a journey; to forward; take a journey; march; be on his (go their) way. (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)

They were journeying through the wilderness to Canaan, the Promised Land. This was the end (of slavery) and a beginning (of freedom). For the young ones, it was the beginning of a new life. (Yet they would wonder around in the wilderness for the next 40 years due to their lack of faith to go conquer the Promised Land.) For the old ones, it was a happy ending to a hard life of slavery.

Life is a journey for us. Where had you been? Where are you now? Where are you going? Questions to ponder. Are we walking with Jesus? Is He leading us in the direction that He wants us to go? Are we going His way or going our own way? Are we walking by faith or by sight?

LET IT GROW

Who and what went, exited Egypt?
  • the children of Israel, which we previously discussed;
  • a mixed multitude-foreigners, strangers, that caused trouble along the way (Numbers. 11:4); Barnes Commentary calls them "riff-raff" and a mob of people scraped together; Liberty Bible Commentary describes the Egyptian group as that which leaped on the bandwagon;
  • flocks, herds, and very much cattle;
  • unleavened dough used to bake cakes (verse 39);
  • kneading troughs (verse 34);
  • articles of silver and gold plus clothing obtained from their Egyptian neighbors;
  • the bones of Jacob and Joseph.
Although the Bible doesn't mention all the regular household items, as a woman, I wonder if they took many other things. (Of course the famous movie portrayed furniture and lots of other items.)

The Israelites were willing and ready to move from the familiar to the unfamiliar at the moment God told them to go. We should be just as prepared to change locations, jobs, or even careers if the Lord calls on us to do so. Are you ready? will you be obedient when He calls? (Swindoll)

I wonder if Moses and Aaron breathed a sigh of relief that first night in camp. God had used them in fulfilling  His plan to lead His people. Little did they know of the struggles that lie ahead.

Do we need deliverance from our Egypt? From the things that have us enslaved-health issues, finances, marriage, children, job, discouragement? Jesus can be our deliverer.

How are we serving the Lord by ministering to people? Who are we taking with us to heaven when the end of our journey comes?

LET IT GO

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24

Dispose of the riff-raff (trash) that I am carrying by laying it at the feet of Jesus, and asking His forgiveness.

Prepare to pull up the tent pins and go, march forward for Jesus.

Journey with Jesus.







Thursday, November 7, 2013

Get Out!

O.T. #164  "Get Out!"
Nov. 7, 2013
Exodus 4-Part 4
Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. "Get out!" he ordered. Leave my people-and take the rest of the Israelites with you! Go and worship the LORD as you have requested.
Exodus 12:31 NLT

LET IT GLOW

Because the first-born of the Egyptian people and animals on the night of the tenth plague and Passover, Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron that night.
Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to:
  • Get out!
  • Leave my people.
  • Take the rest of the Israelites with you!
  • Go and worship the LORD as you have requested.
  • Take your flocks and herds, as you said.
  • Be gone.
  • Go, but bless me as you leave.
These were words long awaited-go, get out, leave. Not only was Pharaoh wanting the Israelites out of the land, so did the Egyptian people (verse 33). They were afraid they would all die.

Are there times that we linger in a place too long? Has the Lord told us to leave a situation and we stay? Do we bless others before we leave?

LET IT GROW

After spending 430 years in Egypt (verse 40), the children of Israel finally got to leave-their Exodus.
What did they take with them?
  • bread dough before yeast was added,
  • clothing from the Egyptians,
  • articles of silver and gold from the Egyptians,
  • plus all their stuff.

So the children of Israel were free to leave Egypt.
God's prediction to Abraham that his descendants (seed) would be a stranger in a foreign land, serve the foreigners, and be afflicted by them "four hundred years" (Gen. 15:13).

Are we trusting God to free us from this world when out time to "get out" has come?

LET IT GO

Go worship the LORD Jesus when He opens the door.

Trust Jesus to take us home to heaven.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Dressed for Dinner

O.T. #163  "Dressed for Dinner"
Nov. 6, 2013
Exodus 12-Part 3
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 11:14

LET IT GLOW

The Passover meal was to be a memorial for the Israelites. This one-night occurrence was to be a part of a yearly one-week celebration. God wanted it to be a permanent ordinance so their ancestors would never forget what the Lord had done for them in Egypt.
Do we share with our children what the Lord has done for us? Have we shared His salvation story?

LET IT GROW

For our 35th anniversary, my husband and I took a trip to see the magnificent Niagara Falls. One evening, we had dinner reservations in a fancy restaurant. So hubby put on his suit and I put on my black dress and fancy shoes. We were dressed to the nines. Even the waiters wore tuxes. Everyone was dressed for an exquisite dinner.
The Israelites were dressed for their dinner, too. Only it wasn't a dress-up affair. They were prepared to move out of Egypt after the Passover meal.

What do we learn from this chapter? There was no time when it was time.
  • There was no time for the yeast bread to rise. They were to eat unleavened bread.
  • There was no time to boil the meat. They were to cook it quickly roasting the lamb over the fire.
  • There was no time to get dressed up, hunt for shoes, nor the walking stick. They were to eat in clothes and sandals ready to move.
  • They were to eat with haste, an urgency.
When Jesus comes in the clouds to get His children in the rapture, there will be no time for the lost to get ready. Are you ready today?

LET IT GO

Expect the Lord's return any day now.

Look up, our redemption draweth nigh.





Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Who is Coming Over?

O.T. #162  "Who is Coming Over?"
Nov. 5, 2013
Exodus 12-Part 2
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"  John 1:29 NIV

LET IT GLOW

When visitors are coming to my house, I do some tidying up. Just looking around, I saw that it required more than tidying. I hate to admit it, but I skipped the spring cleaning at my house. Summer's dust was an inch thick, the musky smell-you get the idea. It was time to get down to some serious cleaning. (I figured it was cheaper to clean than to buy a new house.) Okay, I got out all the supplies and went to work, though it took a week to complete. I'm talking about the rock fireplace was swept, furniture was vacuumed underneath, everything dusted, curtains washed, the whole nine yards, except the windows aren't washed. (Any volunteers?) Ladies, that was just the living room. I was ready for company, until I looked at the kitchen. Girl, I'm still working on that room. I'm surprised my husband hasn't asked, "Who's coming over?"
That question didn't apply to the Israelites, but "Who's passing over?" did apply. Read on.

Moses and Aaron relayed God's message to Pharaoh and the Hebrews. The tenth plague was coming and the climax of this story. The LORD God Jehovah Himself was coming over or passing over. This meant that the first-born of all people and animals in Egypt were going to die. However, the Hebrews, the whole community of Israel, was exempt if they followed specified instructions. The first-born Israelite would not die if they were under the blood.
Here are the details:
  • A commemorative meal called The Passover was to be eaten that specific night.
  • There was designated food for the meal because of its representation.
  • Each man was to get a lamb (or kid goat could be substituted) prepared for his family and household.
  • If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor.
  • Temporary residents or hired servants were not allowed to eat the meal. (verse 45 NLT)
  • Only circumcised foreigners could eat the meal with the Israelites. (verse 48)
  • They must determine the amount needed by how many people and how much each will eat.
  • There was to be no left overs; food was to be burned if it was not all eaten before morning.
  • Each lamb must be eaten in on house, not carrying its meat outside. (verse 46)
  • The animal must be a one-year-old male sheep or goat. (According to MacArthur, a kid goat was an alternative choice.)
  • The animal must have no defects- no disease, not lame; perfect inside and out. (Any flaw would render it unfit to represent a pure, wholesome sacrifice given to Yahweh. MacArthur)
  • It was to be observed for perfection four days.
  • It was to be killed at twilight, preserving its blood, the meat roasted over fire, not boiled.
  • The lambs' bones were to not be broken.
  • The rest of the meal included unleavened bread and bitter herbs or salad greens.

Is our family prepared for the second coming of Jesus? Are we? Will God come over to be our Judge for our sins or will He passed over us because we are covered with the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, is on our soul?

LET IT GROW

What does all of this represent?
THE LAMB:
  • The death of the perfect lamb represented a new beginning, as the death of Christ makes a new beginning for the believing sinner.
  • The chosen lamb was set aside and observed 4 days, just as Christ was tested and questioned 4 days before His death. Christ is the Lamb of God, the Savior, chosen before the foundation of the world 1Peter 1:19).
  • The blood of the lamb was put in a basin, then applied over the door and its side posts. All first-born who were inside that house would not die, but God would pass over the house when He saw the blood. The blood of Christ on the cross is sufficient to cover our sins.
UNLEAVENED BREAD:
  • Yeast is a picture of sin, which works silently, corrupts, puffs up, and can only be removed with fire. The hot heat of the fire in which bread is cooking prevents its rising.
BITTER HERBS:
  • The bitterness was to remind the Israelites each year as Passover was celebrated of the bitterness of their family and nation's slavery in Egypt.
SILENCE:
  • If not a dog was barking (11:7), then I tend to think the Israelites ate this supper in silence. Also, I think the sound wailing of the Egyptians over the loss of their loved ones was what made them silent.
  • Were the Israelites silent because they were speechless due to the mercy God was showing them by not killing their first-born? We can find out when we get to heaven.
All of this was in preparation and remembrance of the Passover of God on the first-born and His grace in not killing them whenever He saw the blood over the doorposts.

As a Christian, I think of the bitterness and harshness that Christ went through on the cross and before, for you and me as sinners, in need of a Savior, before we were born. Sin must be paid for, and Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so we do not have to, if we believe in Him as our Savior, our blood sacrifice.
All that is required for our salvation is to believe all of this and ask Christ, the Lamb of God, to forgive us of our sins and be our Savior.

Will you today? Do you know of anyone who needs to trust Him today?
Do you have any first-borns in your family? My husband, daughter, father in law are.

LET IT GO

Daily surrender to Jesus Christ as my Savior.

Thank Him for dying for me, a sinner.

Love Jesus and others.

Look to the day of seeing The Lamb of God that takes away my sins.










Monday, November 4, 2013

Prepare for Departure

O.T. #161  "Prepare for Departure"
Nov. 4, 2013
Exodus 12-Part 1
This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:2

LET IT GLOW

As a child, I never considered actually riding on an airplane. At that time, a regional airport was an hour away and an international airport was almost two hours away. (Due to modern highways, the time is cut in half now.) Planes flew over every now and then.
As an adult, though, I have made numerous trips by plane. Usually reservations were made a month in advance. I had several things to do in order to prepare for departure. The dirty dishes and clothes had to be cleaned; the mail held; feeding for my cats arranged; prescriptions needed to be purchased; all transportation arrangements made; not to mention the packing of clothes, cleaning out my purse, and restrictions for the carry on. Whew! Glad I'm not traveling this week. Don't get me wrong, I do like an adventurous journey. Maybe the Israelites' preparation was not as extensive as mine.


After 400 some years in a foreign land, the Israelites had to prepare for their departure from Egypt.
There must have been excitement in the air as they prepared the household items, animals, food. The LORD told Moses and Aaron what was to take place before their Exodus. He had it all planned out and for a purpose.

It is suggested that the tenth plague took place several days or weeks after Moses revealed God's plan. (Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary)

Also, it is suggested that the instructions on the Passover were given during the three days of darkness in order to fully prepare Israel for the grand finale, their Exodus from Egypt.
 (Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

This time was to be of utter importance to the Israelites and Jewish history. It (Passover) was to commemorate the beginning of the Jewish religious year. It comes in March or April, based on the moon's phases. (Falwell)

This month, the month of Abib (March/April), by divine decree, became the beginning of the religious calendar, marking the start of Israel's life as a nation. Later, while Israel was in the wilderness, Moses wrote detailed instructions for this very special feast day in Israel's religious calendar. (MacArthur)

This particular month was to be the first month of the Jewish year. We can see that time is significant to the LORD. Is it to us? How often do we give thanks for the birth and resurrection of our Savior? Or do we only wait until special celebrations?

LET IT GROW

Although the Passover was not celebrated until the fourteenth day, the lamb had to be observed for four days to make sure it had no blemishes. 1 Corinthians 5:7 says that "...Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." The Passover lamb typified Christ. Christ also had to be observed for four days in Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. During those four days He was tested and asked questions, but none could find fault with Him (Matt. 21:23-27; 22:15-22, 33-46). (Falwell)

This was new to me. We will get into the details of the Passover in our next post, so be sure to come back tomorrow.

Have you made preparation for your departure from this world? If you only had four days to get ready, what would you do, say, go?
Jesus knew the hour had come that He should depart from this world. (John 13:1)
Paul knew that the time of his departure was at hand. (2 Tim 4:6)
However, we don't always get to know when our departure from this world is.
Friend, are you ready to depart? Is Jesus your ticket to heaven? Works will not get you there.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Only faith in Jesus as the son of God, as God in the flesh, the Messiah, and confessing your sins to Jesus will you be saved. If you already have done this, I rejoice with you.

LET IT GO

Take time to think about eternity.

My preparation for departure from this world has already been made.

Be thankful for the grace of God, love of Jesus, and heaven awaiting.



  



Friday, November 1, 2013

Not Even the Dogs Barked

O.T.#160  "Not Even the Dogs Barked"
Nov. 1, 2013
Exodus 11-Part 2
But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal. Exodus 11:7a

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever had such a quiet, silent night that not even the dogs barked? I don't recall one. Not even the dogs barked? Nightlife out in the country, isn't silent. We hear owls, crickets, dogs, coyotes, cows, trains, and trucks. Early Sunday mornings are usually not very noisy, since people are not stirring, but the animals are normal. I suppose they are praising the Lord.
So I don't know what it would be like for silence to surround us. There was one night that it was silent, though. Read on friends.

The LORD made such a drastic difference between His beloved people, the Israelites who spoke Hebrew, and the Egyptians, who worshiped false gods. During the tenth and final plague upon Egypt, in the land of Goshen, it was silent, not even a dog barked. (verse 7) That would have made the wailing of the Egyptians even louder to the Israelites.

Are we ever still long enough to hear sounds around us? The Lord tells us to be still and know that He is God. How many of us need to work on that one?


LET IT GROW

Plague #10 Death of Firstborn

Moses had to go back to the king one more time. He had to inform Pharaoh what Jehovah God was about to do, in spite of the threat upon Moses' life. (10:28)

The death threat delivered by Pharaoh evoked one from God. (MacArthur)

God was involved in the previous nine plagues, but this time He showed personal involvement. He used the personal pronoun stating, About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. (verse 4 NIV)

What will happen when God passes through the heart of Egypt?
  • All the first-born males and females in every family in Egypt will die.
  • Pharaoh's first-born son that sits upon his throne will die. He would ascend to the throne and continue the dynasty.
  • Even the first-born of the maidservants, who grinds the flour, will die.
  • Also, all the first-born of beasts will die, including cattle.
  • A loud wailing, crying, will be heard throughout the land of Egypt, like never before nor ever will be. Great sorrow would result in  the Egyptian homes.
  • All of the servants, officials of Pharaoh will bow down to Moses and tell him and his people to "Go!"
What would happen if God passed through our churches, our homes, our towns, our nation? Would we recognize Him?

LET IT GO

Let go of things and follow Jesus.

Invite Him to pass by us.