Our Race Against Time

Hebrews 12-Part 1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Hebrews 12:1-3


LET IT GLOW

Earlier this month, my husband and I went on a business trip by plane. Our connecting flight was in Chicago, with only a few extra minutes between flights. So when we landed, we hit the ground running. Each of us was carrying a backpack so it was a challenge. It was especially for me because I had my laptop, medicines, and purse inside my backpack. It quickly weighed me down and thus slowed me down in my pace. My husband realized it and took the backpack from off my back and carried both. The loud speaker announced the last call for three passengers-the two of us and another. We made it in time, in our race against time, but I was worn out. It was quite stressful since there was no other flight to our destination until the next day, which was when our meetings began. I thought of that when I read our key verses. Shall we take a closer look?

Here are some main points:

• The race is our spiritual journey, Christian life. My race is set before me by God. Race, in Greek is agona, is a conflict or struggle of many kinds; a contest of athletes, runners. (Our English word agony comes from it.) How am I to run it?
• I am surrounded by a great  multitude of witnesses listed in chapter 1, the audience. As I walk, I read from the Word of God about great men and women, courageous martyrs, shouting words of hope, endurance, and encouragement to people in the battle. These witnesses are not witnessing us as we conduct our lives. Instead, they are witnesses to us of faith and endurance. So they aren't watching me, but telling me how they continued with faith to the end. Their lives are models showing me how to make it through my race, to persevere.

LET IT GROW

How do I handle this race in order to please God?
         (1) Prepare by throwing off everything that hinders me, by laying aside every weight and sin which so
               easily beset me. Sin and/or hinderances can keep me from running effectively the race God has for
               me. What weighs me down? Is it an indifferent attitude, a lack of discipline, procrastination,
               impatience, worldly cares, pride, the law? Am I aware of any excess baggage I'm carrying around?
               The entangling sin is unbelief. Do I doubt that God can do what He says he will do?
          (2) Follow the command to run with endurance the race set before me. Endurance means to abide
                under or to wait with patience. How do I endure?
          (3) Fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Don't yield to distractions. Jesus endured
                the so much to provide my salvation. He finished His race perfectly, accomplishing all that God
                had planned for Him. Now He sits at the right hand of God.
          (4) While running, keep an attitude of an encouraged heart and a calm mind. Consider, in verse 3,
                 means to reckon, compare, weigh, think over. When I am meditate upon and occupy my mind
                 with my Lord Jesus, then I will be calm and encouraged.

The Bible is like a road map; step into the vehicle of application and drive.

[Resources: John Gill's Bible commentary, David Guzik's Bible Commentary, Hebrews II. , a Bible study guide by Charles Swindoll.]

LET IT GO

Look at the winners.

Look at myself.

Look at Jesus.

Look ahead.

Live by faith.


                                                                     

All of Us Together

Hebrews 11-Part 21
And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, morover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatsskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.  Hebrews 11:35b-40


LET IT GLOW

One of my favorite activities in grade school was jumping rope. Two girls would turn a long rope while some of us would take turns jumping it. We even made up chants to say while jumping. Of course, we would switch with the turners and let them have a turn to jump. It took all of us together in order for us to enjoy our activity. And so it will be when time on earth is completed and eternity is in session.

All those saints of Old Testament times obtained a good report through faith because they believed  in the promises of God-the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, and an eternal heaven, a new Jerusalem, and the law pointed them to Him. The New Testament believers saw the Messiah in the flesh, but believed in their salvation by Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection. Christians in our time believe Christ fulfilled the law by being the sacrifical Lamb in our place as payment for our sins. It shall be all of us believers, Old Testament, New Testament, and modern times that will make up the eternal church. What a sight and sound that will be, when we all together sing praises to our God (Rev. 19)!

So we have more reasons to hold onto our faith than these heroes of faith did. Even though they obtained a good testimony through faith, they never saw the promise in the same way that we do on this side of the cross.We have been provided something better, seeing and enjoying the completed work of Jesus on our behalf. Therefore, don't let discouragement and tough times defeat us.
The older saints aren't perfect, which means complete, without us. They looked forward to Jesus and His work, while we look at it from behind, and enjoy the fruits of His work. (Guzik)

LET IT GROW

By faith, some saints were victorious under their circumstances, even though they were:

• tortured, which refers to being stretched on an insturment of torture resembling a drum, and beat to death. (Strong's Concordance)
• not choosing deliverance, but death, looked for a resurrection of life, eternity.
• mocked curely-Isaac by Ishmael, Samson by the Philistines, Elisha by children, Jeremiah by Pashur, Jews by Sanballat and Tobiah when building the Temple, prophets, whom God sent to the Jews.
• scourged-smitings as Jeremiah (Jer.20:22) and Micaiah (2Chron. 18:23-24).
• bonds (chains) and imprisonments-Joseph, Samson, and Jeremiah.
• stoned-Zechariah was stoned to death between the altar and the temple; Naboth was stoned to death by Jezebel's henchmen; Jerusalem stoned the prophets that were sent unto her (Matt. 23:37).
• sawn in two-Jewish tradition says Isaiah was by the order of Manasseh.
• were tempted to renounce their worship of God-an outside source states that Eleazar, along with his 7 brothers and mother were burned.
• were slain by the sword-85 priests murdered by Doeg, prophets in Elijah's day, priests of Nob ordered aby Saul, prophets of the Lord by Jezebel.
• wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins-Elijah, Slisha, and John the Baptist.
• destitute of food-Elijah was fed by ravens, the widow of Zarephath (1Kings 19:4-10).
• afflicted-refers to being driven to greatst straits, despairing of life, weary of it.
• tormented-or evilly treated, reproached, persecuted, made the filth of the world, offscouring of all things.,
• of whom the world wasn't worthy-such spiritual believers living for God were befriended by the world.
• wandered in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves-David, Elijah, prophets under Obediah's leadership.
• obtained a good report through faith-either those previously mentioned, or who were martyred.
• received not the promise of Canaan, the Messiah, and heaven.

[Resources: John Gill's Bible Commentary, David Guzik's Bible Commentary)

After reading about all these kinds of persecution for the faith, it seems such a small thing when I'm made fun of or criticized because of the stand I take for my Savior and His Word. I tend to let thosse things get me discouraged, but I shouldn't.

Did you notice that it took 21 lessons to make it through chapter 11? I have certainly enjoyed having you walk with me through it. Feel free to share any comments with us.

By faith Linda...


LET IT GO

Endure all for Jesus.

Keep the faith.

Walk with Him everyday.

A Bucket Full of Faith

Hebrews 11-Part 20
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  Hebrews 11:33-35


LET IT GLOW

I recall having a big mud puddle beside our garage when I was a little girl. I would spend hours dipping a bucket into the water, filling it full, setting it down by my pile of dirt, then adding the water to make mud pies. Of course, the pies served no purpose, but I enjoyed the process. I want to have a bucket full of faith. I don't want to settle for just a teaspoonful. Oh, I don't consider myself a strong warrior, a great king, or a dedicated prophet for God. I'm just me, a country gal, striving to please my Savior in faith and obedience in my little corner of the world. Yet, isn't that what the Heroes of Faith did? Sometimes their corner was big and in the limelight. Sometimes they were ordinary folks called by God to do extraordinary things. Sometimes they were plain and simple with a lot of faith in their God. Whatever words describe me, I wanna have a bucket full of faith.

What has happened throughout the ages to Old Testament believers? Our key verse lists some things, but first I want to see what promises they obtained.

Promises means a promised good or blessing, according to Thayer's Lexicon.

God's promises were and are:

• victorious over enemies,
• concerning the Messiah,
• of everlasting life and happiness,
• rich in grace by which believers who received them, believed them, and waited for the accomplishment of them,
• for the future and invisible to them,
• great in themselves and precious to saints,
• all obtainable,
• sure and certainly fufilled,
• the work and business of faith to receive and enjoy them. (John Gill)

Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say:

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
The promises of God find their affirmation and fulfilllment in Christ.

2 Corinthians 7:1 states, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
These promises of God demand a purity of heart and life on the part of those who receive them.

What promises is Paul talking about here? Looking at the previous verses, 6:16-18, we find God said:I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Ex. 29:45 and Lev. 26:11-12, which is applicable to all who are sons of Abraham by faith); Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you (Is. 52:11-12, Ez.20:34); And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters (Is. 43:6 and Hosea 1:10). The exhortation is to holiness before God and reconciliation with the apostle.
We have the indwelling Holy Spirit Himself as a down payment, pledge, or redemption, our surety and security of all that is to follow in the final salvation of the believer (2Cor. 1:22).

Please Lord Jesus, cleanse me of all my sins. I want You to walk with me, to dwell with me, to be my
God. Help me to be separated from the world and follow Your ways.


LET IT GROW

Looking at our key verse, let's go back and pick up phrases that were skipped.
By faith some were victorious over their circumstances. They:

1. subdued kingdoms: David-Syria, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Edom, and Philistines (2 Sam. 8:12-14); Joshua, King Asa, Jehoshaphat, King Hezekiah, King Josiah. These kings subdued kingdoms by faith, yet not with fighting. This should encourage believers in the combat with powers of darkness.
2. worked righteousness: Elijah, Elisha, and all the prophest of God, and King Josiah also. They exercised vindictive justice, in taking vengeance on the enemies of God and His people. True actions of faith are operating grace, works by love, has righteousness as its fruit and is evidence of faith, is received.
3. stopped the mouths of lions: Daniel, David, Benaiah, one of David's might men, Samson. When we're in the midst of men, comparable of lions, we do not fear the devouring lion, Satan.
4. quenched the violence of fire: Sadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to Neb's statue; Lot was delivered from Sodom's fire and brimstone; the Lord's fire consumed complainers after Moses prayed at Taberah (Numbers 11:1-2). Believers quench fiery darts of Satan and are untouched by the fire of God's wrath at the second death (lake of fire).
5. escaped the edge of the sword: David escaped both Goliath and Saul's swords; Moses escapted Pharaoh's sword; Elijah escaped Jezebel's sword; Lot, Abraham, Joshua, the Judges, and Elisha all escaped.
6. were made strong out of weakness: Sarah, Gideon, Abraham, Esther, King Hezekiah, David; Samson was filled with courage and strength of mind.
7. became valiant in battle: David, King Asa, Jehoshaphat, Barak, Gideon wear engaged in good cause, under a good Captain. We're provide with an armor, assured of victory, and a crown.
8. were women who received their dead raised to life again: The widow of Zarepheth (1Kings 17:22) and the Shunamite (2Kings 4:34-35). Their sons were really dead and athey received them alive again, from the hands of the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, in the way of a resurrection, and by faith. 

[Resources: John Gill Bible Commentaries, David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible ]

Now if that doesn't ring my bell, nothing will. I, too, am promised good, or blessings. I can see how faithful God was in all of those circumstances, can't you? What a mighty God we serve-El Shaddai!!!
Lord, forgive me when I doubt. You are the same God back then and now. surround me with Your shield of faith.

By faith, Linda...


LET IT GO

Keep a pure heart and life before God.

Stay on my knees in prayer every morning.

Remain in the Word so the Word remains in me.

Let go of doubt and grow in faith.

Other Heroes

Hebrews 11-Part 19
And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets.   Hebrews 11:32

LET IT GLOW

Do you have any "heroes of faith" in your life? Will you share them with us? I can think of a few modern-day heroes in my life: my dad, who lost a leg in WWII; the soldier who marched in Dad's place that died of a sniper's bullet instead of Dad; a woman whose daughters were molested by their father; a couple who lost a grandson to cancer and a granddaughter hit by a car, the husband suffering a stroke; a young mother who lost her teenage son and another mother lost a baby; a man who had around 15 heart surgeries, yet died of bone cancer praising the Lord during it all;  my mother inlaw who battled cancer for years; my daughter who lives with rheumatoid arthritis; my husband with a heart condition. The list could go on. All of these have remained faithful to our God. These are my other heroes, yet unknown to the world. The story of their life has never been printed in a magazine nor in a book, but God sees their faith.

Dr. Charles Stanley said in his message, The Call of Faith:

• The walk of faith is to step into the unknown (Heb.11:8)
• The walk of faith is a call to separation.
• Step out of your comfort zone.
• We miss out on God's best because we won't let go.
• The call of God always includes the promise of blessing.
• Our idea of security is a distorted idea.
• We're shortsighted.
• The call of faith will involve testing and trials.
• We can respond in two ways: focus on Christ and obey Him, or react to fear and try to work things out ourselves.
• Taking your focus off God will get you into trouble (Abraham went to Egypt.)
• The call of faith has tests and trials. In obedience we are able to enjoy the best that God has to offer.

Friends, I hope your faith in God is increasing as mine is since we have been studying the heroes in the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. I see the extraordinary things God did when the people exhibited faith in Him. Remember by faith Abel's sacrifice, Enoch pleased God and was translated, Noah's ark, Abraham moved without details and lived in tents, then offered Isaac, Sarah's baby at age 90, Jacob worshipped leaning on his staff, Joseph's belief in the resurrection and he wanted his bones carried into the Promised Land to be buried, Moses' parents hid him 3 months, Moses refused to be called the son of the Pharoah's  daughter, forsook Egypt, kept the Passover, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, younger Israelites marched 7 days so the walls of Jericho would fall, and Rahab received and hid the spies. Those things  happened when God saw their faith that He would keep His promises, do what He said He would do, because without faith it's impossible to please God.

This list of men in our key verse held a position of power or authority, but none of them is praised for his personal status or abilities. Instead, they are recognized for what each one had accomplished by faith in God. (MacArthur)

Not one of these people mentioned in verse 32 was perfect, passive, persistent, or protected from hardship, calamity, and tragedy. The theme in  Hebrews 11 is endurance. (Swindoll)

I don't know all that God could accomplish through Linda, if she keeps  faith in Jesus and obeys Him fully. Insert your name dear friends.
Jesus, Your will, Your way, today, I say.

LET IT GROW

I had considered looking deeper into each man's life that is named in verse 32, but like the author, my time is limited. So I will give a summation (all 6 are found in the book of Judges) of how God used them to defeat a group and delivered Israel:

1. Gideon, by faith in God, with 300 men destroyed a countless multitude of Midianites and Amalekites; he threw down the altar of Baal, cut down his grove, in obedience to the command of God. Yet he was a man who doubted God's word to him at first, and repeatedly asked for confirmation. (Judges 6-9)
2. Barak, by faith in God, overthrew Jabin, the king of Canaan, and his numerous army. He had a agreat victory of all the host of Sisera. Yet he hesitated and went forward only when Deborah encouraged and accompanied him. (Judges 4)
3. Samson, by faith in God, destroyed more Philistines at his death than during his lifetime. He was a child of promise, devoted to the Lord. Yet he never lived up to his potential, and had a tragic ending to his life after being enticed by Delilah.  (Judges 13-16)
4. Jephthah, by faith in God, defeated the Ammorites. Yet he made a foolish vow and stubbornly kept it, killing his daughter. (Judges 11)
5. David, by faith in God, killed the giant Philistine, Goliath. Yet he failed with Bathsheba and with his own children. He spent about 15 years running for his life from King Saul, which resulted in the writings of the Psalms.
6. Samuel, who by faith, was a child of prayer, devoted to the Lord at a young age, became the last of the judges and first of the prophets. He annointed David as king of Israel, and was known as a man of intercessory prayer.
7. The prophets not mentioned by name, but from Samuel to John the Baptist, were famous for their faith in the Messiah and trust in God, and their honorable walk and conversation.

[Resources: The New Gill Expostion of the Entire Bible, David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible,
                    Matthew Henry's Commentary, Adam Clarke's Commentary]

I'm encouraged when I read of these heroes of faith who sometimes failed, but succeeded in spite of their failures.

I, too, find myself asking for signs of confirmation like Gideon, asking for someone to go with me as I obey as Barak, don't live up to my potential like Samson, run in fear of the enemy as David did, don't always pray faithfully for others as Samuel. However, I want to walk in faith with Jesus on this country road to wherever He leads me, honoring and serving Him.

By faith Linda...

LET IT GO

Let go of the worldly things and follow Jesus so I don't miss the best He has for me.

Step out of my comfort zone and walk by faith.

Pray all day.

Marching and Playing

483.  " Marching and Playing"                  March 26, 2012
Hebrews 11-Part 17
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.
Hebrews 11:30
LET IT GLOW

It was fun being in the marching band at my high school, but I was only in it my junior year. However, we had to practice in the hot summer before school opened in the fall. We were a small band, yet perfection was demanded of us, so hours were spent in the cooler mornings playing and marching, marching and playing. It wasn't enough practice time for me, so I played my flute and marched in the yard when I got home. No walls fell down around our town that year, like they did for Joshua and the Israelites. We performed at all home football games. We were quite good, if I say so myself.
I do regret not continuing band my senior year.

God gave Joshuas some promises found in Joshua 1:5, There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

What great promises; and to think, they apply to us today.
Here's some background.

The Israelites were camped at Acacia Grove, which was located in the foothills about seven miles east of the Jordan River.
What do we know about Jericho? It was seven miles west of the river; it had a 6 foot brick wall, 30 feet high.

When did this take place? It was 40 years after the parting of the Red Sea.

Who was leading this inexperienced army? Joshua, a new and inexperienced leader, was in command. God appointed him, so ultimately God gave the directions.

What happened to the walls? The people marched behind the Ark of the covenant, and the priests marched in front, blowing horns around Jericho; this was done 6 days. On the seventh day, they marched quietly around the city, then gave a loud shout, and the walls fell down.

Now did that take faith on the priest part? Here they were out front marching around a city, blowing horns. At any minute, the enemy could have come out and attacked them.
Did it take faith for the people to march around for 7 days? How about keeping quiet during the last march?What a story to tell their grandchildren-the day God brought down the walls of Jericho!

The people did nothing militarily to cause the fall of Jericho; they simply followed God's instructions in faith. (MacArthur)

Neither the marching nor the trumpets brought the walls down. Likewise, a doubting heart would cause one to stop maraching long before the seventh day. By faith they persisted in obedience to God's command. (Falwell)

David Guzik had this to say:

• At Jericho, the people of Israel had a daring faith. Theree was no turning back, having already crossed the river Jordan at flood stage, which cut off any line of retreat.
• At Jericho, the people of Israel had an obedient faith. They did not really understand what God was doing, yet they obeyed none the less.
• After they were encircled for 7 days: At Jericho the people of Israel had a patient faith. The walls did not fall down for the first 6 days, yet they kept marching as God commanded.
• At Jericho, the people of Israel had an anticipating faith. They knew God would acat on the seventh day when they shouted.

2 Corinthians 10:4 says, For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

How strong is my faith and your faith? Is it strong enough for God to bring down the walls that have us in bondage to sin? Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

LET IT GROW

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

Now skip back in time before the walls fell.

Review:

• Moses died, and God made Joshua the next leader of the Israelites.
• Joshua sent out two men to spy out the land on the other side of the Jordan River and Jericho before they attacked. (Joshua 2)
• The 2 spies stayed at the house of Rahab the prostitute, a harlot.
• Their presence was known to the king and he sent word for Rahab to give the men over to the soldiers.
• Rahab hid the spies on her roof, under stalks of flax, which were usually 3 feet long and dried on the rooftop,  while the soldiers visited her, so they were not found.
• She lied daringly to the soldiers, which resulted in them hunting for the spies outside the city gate; she was guilty of treason in the king's eyes.
• Rahab admitted to the spies that God is the supreme God of heaven above and earth below; her people were afraid because of what god had done for the Israelites at the Jordan River.
• She asked for her and her family's being spared when the Israelites attacked Jericho, which was granted.
• Rahab, a Canaanite, later married Salmon and had Boaz; she was the great, great-grandmother of King David; also she was an ancestor of Jesus. By God's grace, she was in the Messianic line (Matt.1:5).
• She was an example of God's saving by faith.

"Clement of Rome, the earliest Christian writer outside of the Bible, was tahe first to see a symbol of the blood of Jesus in the scarlet cord which Rahab hung outside her window," stated Guzik.

Isn't it amazing that the two spies ended up at Rahab's house. She obviously was a believer in their God. She risked her life by hiding the spies. Her life was spared because she put her faith in God.
Rahab's faith delivered her, and works justified her. Although her epithet as a harlot lingered, her life changed (James 2:25). (Falwell)

God commended Rahab's faith, not her lie. None of us are without sin, so I can't point a judging finger at her, because I'm in need of forgiveness like she was. God honors true faith, small as it is, and imparts saving grace (Ex. 34:7).

By faith, Linda...

LET IT GO

Be willing to march for Jesus, even if it's in a city, out in the open sight, in my community, in a foreign land?

Obey the detailed instructions of the Lord.

Have strong faith, stepping out daily, following Jesus.

Encourage other believers.

Crossing my Red Sea of Troubles

482.  "Crossing my Red Sea of Troubles"
          March 23, 2012
Hebrews 11-Part 17
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.  Hebrews 11:29


LET IT GLOW

Pharoah and his mighty Egyptian army with horses and chariots pursued the Israelites. (God had hardened Pharoah's heart again in Exodus 14, so they turned against the Israelites.) Because the Israelites left Egypt, the Pharoah and his people lost slaves to serve them. Remember, they had slaves for 400 years to serve them. I don't think they cherished the idea of having to work and do for themselves.

"When the Israelites first reached the shores of the Red Sea, the people feared for their lives (Exodus 14:11, 21). But upon hearing Moses' pronouncement of God's protection (Ex. 14:13-14), they went forward in faith," states The MacArthur Bible Commentary.

Fear was quite deep that day, I'm sure, as the Israelites faced the Red Sea in front and the Egyptian army behind them. They probably didn't remember the promises God made them in Exodus 6:6-8:

• He is the Lord,
• He will bring them out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,
• He will rid them out of their bondage,
• He will redeem them with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments,
• He will take them for a people and be their God,
• they shall know He is the Lord their God, which brought them out from under their burdens,
• He will bring them into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
• He will give the land as a heritage to them,
• He is the Lord.

LET IT GROW

Flying over the ocean for 4-6 hours at a time is very nerve wrecking to me. You see, I am afraid of water that is over my heard or that I can't touch the bottom. I have experienced this feeling of insecurity only a three times-once when flying to Brazil, to Malaysia, and to Puerto Rico. Each time we crossed an ocean. I had to put my faith in Jesus' protection of the plane or else I would have been a nervous wreck upon landing. Everything turned out fine, praise to the Lord! So I can symphasize with the Israelites when they were crossing the Red Sea with a wall of water on both sides of them. Let's check out the events in more detail.

The Israelites were walking by sight and not by faith at that point before crossing, stepping into the Red Sea. Moses' pronouncement of God's protection in Exodus 14:13-14 said: Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Do I have those same promises? You better believe it! When I face my Red Sea of decision and leave my bondage to sin, unhealthy foods and drinks, ungodly tv shows, criticism, all behind and step into the water of repentance and deliverance, pass through those troubles, then I will come out on the other side a new person. Jesus is my Redeemer and Deliverer!!

Whatever my situation, I need not fear, but stand and watch the Lord part a great sea of trouble into a wall of dry land for me to walk on, as a red carpet leading to the King's throne. (Hey, it was a Red Sea.) I don't have to fight, just hold my peace. He will fight for me. (The hardest part is my taking that first step of faith into the sea of trouble.) I will see His outstretched arm working and hear His Holy Spirit speaking. I sing praises to Your Name, Lord Jesus, for You are Almighty God, ElShaddai.

Will you take that first step with me, friend? I am praying for you.

Look at the rest of  Hebrew 11:29, the Egyptians drown after they made an attempt to capture the Israelites.
Assaying means to make an attempt, according to Strong's Concordance.

However, the Egyptians were not successful, because God was in charge, not Pharoah. They were all drown.

Faith is not a daring leap in the dark. Faith is man's response to God's command. (Falwell)


LET IT GO

Leave my troubles and sins at the foot of the cross of Jesus and let Him free me from my bondage of sins.

Trust Jesus and take that first step of faith.

Watch His outstretched arm take care of my troubles, enemies.

Praise my Redeemer, who lives today!!!!

Pray for others that are at their Red Sea of decision.

Passover

Hebrews 11-Part 16
Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Hebrews 11:28


LET IT GLOW

Did you ever feel that you were passed over when it came to smarts and looks? That was how I used to feel when I was growing up. You see, my big sister was a straight A student, never having to study, valedictorian of her graduating class.  She was also very pretty, homecoming queen her senior year in high school. Then, there was my brother, who was very outgoing and popular. I grew up feeling I was passed over when it came to looks, brains, popularity. I was just the opposite-plain looking, studied hard for grades, and quiet in personality. When I grew up, I realized that I am made by God, who made me as He was pleased.However, Moses was passed over when it counted, death did not take him in Egypt. Shall we stop a while and look deeper into his life?

Moses kept the Passover before he departed from Egypt the second time.

Matthew Henry Commentary says:

Though all Israel kept this passover, yet it was by Moses that God delivered the institutioon of it; and, though it was a great mystery, Moses by faith both delivered it to the people and kept it that night in the house where he lodged. The passover was one of the most solemn institutions of the Old Testament, and a very significant type of Christ. The occasion of its first observance was extraordinary: it was the same night that God slew the first-born of the Egyptians; but, though the Israelites lived among them, their houses were passed over and spared them and theirs.

MacArthur suggests that the instructions God gave to Moses about the Passover meal was during the three days of darkness .He said, "The detailed instructions for the Passover included what animal to select, when to kill it, what to do with its blood, how to cook it, what to do with leftovers, how to dress for the meal, the reason why it was being celebrated "in haste," and what the shed blood signified."

Exodus 12 gives the instructions by God for the Passover:

• a male lamb without blemish, perfect (verse 5),
•  lamb's blood sprinkled on the two dise posts and upper door post of the houses (vers 7),
• lamb's flesh eatten that night, roasted with fire, eaten with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs (leaven represents sin, bitter herbs represented their slavery in Egypt) (verse 8),
• don't keep any leftover lamb (verse 10),
• they ate, dressed with shoes on feet, staff in hand (verse 11), ready to move,
• the destroyer would not come into their houses to kill their first-born if he saw the blood over the door posts (verses 12, 23),
• the Lord said He would not execute judgment on the Israelites, but would on the Egyptian's people and animals first-born.

What a promise! The Lord would save the Israelites who had faith enough to trust Him to pass over their family, saving them from death.
It took faith to believe that the blood of the lamb on the door post would save their household from death. Moses had that faith and led the nation in observance.  (Guzik)


LET IT GROW

John Gill said:

The sprinkling of blood was of the paschal lamb; which was received into a basin, and was sprinkled upoon the lintel, and two side posts of the doors of the houses, in which the Israelites dwelt; which was done with a bunch of hyssop dipped into it; for the Lord, seeing the blood sprinkled, when he smote the firstborn of Egypt, passed by the houses of the Israelites, so distinguished; and they were all safe within, and not one of them touched: this was a typical of the blood of Christ being sprinkled upon the hearts and consciences of His people; whereby they are purified throught faith; which blood is looked upon by Jedhovah, so that justice passes by them; and they are all safe and secure, and will be, when others are destroyed; nor can they be hurt by the second death.

I Corinthians 5:7 says ...For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

How is this a type of Christ?

Matthew Henry Commentary says:

• Christ is that Lamb, He is the our Passover, He was sacrificed for us.
• Hid blood must be sprinkled; it must be applied to those who have the saving benefit of it.
• We are saved by the blood of Christ and His imputed righteousness. 
• Wherever this blood is applied, the soul receives a whole Christ by faith, and lives upon Him.
• This true faith makes sin bitter to the soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. 

What a wonderful plan our Creator, Adoniah, had and carried out! He took my place, paid for my sins, so I would not have to do so. Salvation is a free gift to me, but it cost Christ everything, even His life. And so He did for you, my friend. Death cannot touch us believers in Christ.

LET IT GO

Remember that Christ is my Perfect Passover Lamb; His blood was shed for my salvation.

Thank You Jesus for all you did on the cross for me.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus! He is a Risen Savior, not in the grave.

Glory and honor to the One and Only God who provides His grace for me.