Light verses Darkness

Readings: Exodus 6:30; Phillipians 4:13
     In this chapter, God made seven promises to Moses (vs. 6-8, I will). Then in verse 30 Moses can't see how Pharaoh is going to listen to him. He thinks he's just a nobody.

     Often times God asks us to do things we can't do. Moses knew Pharaoh wouldn't listen to him, but he forgot that God was in charge. God was working out His plan by using Moses. If Moses thought he could make Pharaoh listen, then God would not have gotten the credit, the glory as we say in the church. Same with us. If God asks us to do something too hard, then He will get the glory, the credit, when His will is accomplished.
    The modern versions of Phillipians says "who strengths me". Christ does give us strength to do His will, but the KJV and Geneva say "which strengtheneth me". We gain confidence to trust Christ to work through us when we allow Him to begin to use us. Christ strengthens us, and the doing strengthens us, just as healthy food gives us strength and running or lifting weights strengthens our muscles to do more. Do what God asks even when you know you can't.

Readings: Exodus 7:12,21,22; I John 4:1
     Moses and Aaron begin to perform miracles before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh's magicians can do the same thing. Pharaoh's heart is hardened because he is deceived. Satan can seemingly work miracles. He can make his way look just as good as God's to the unsuspecting world.
     I John 4:1 tell us to try the spirits to see if they are of God because there are so many false prophets out there in the world. So how do we try the spirits? By the Word of God. We must make a habit of reading and memorizing so when we see things; movies, preachers, books, etc., we will know if it lines up with the Word or is it just one of Satan's tricks.

Readings: Exodus 8:28; Acts 4:19
     Pharaoh decided to let the people go and worship but they couldn't go very far, just a little way. Doesn't that sound like the government today? When our nation was first founded, we had freedom to worship. The founding fathers encouraged the people to read the scriptures and pray. Now they tell us we can be religious but we have to leave our religion at the door when it comes to school and work. It needs to be private worship. When the children of Israel first went to Egypt, Joseph was second only to Pharaoh and the Hebrews were given the best land for cattle. Over time they became slaves and now are told don't go too far.
     Peter and John faced hard choices as well. They were taken before the council for preaching Jesus and healing a man. They had to make the choice to continue to preach or obey the law. What choices are we making? Are we being shut down?

Readings: Exodus 9:27-28
      Pharaoh in his time of crisis calls for Moses to pray for him saying "the Lord is righteous". Yes, when things look bad or troubles come everyone calls for the preacher and the deacons. The government calls on everyone to pray. But what happens as soon as the trouble is passed? 911 is a good example of how people were called to God and to prayer but in a few weeks when the trouble settled down.....  

Readings: Exodus 10:22,23; Matthew 22:13
     The plague of darkness was upon the Egyptians. For three days they didn't move. Imagine how scary, a darkness so thick it can be felt, the cries of children who cannot be comforted from the fear of the dark. The adults feared as well. Horror, a tiny taste of outer darkness. A separation from the Light, from God. God's people were comforted in the Light.
    Jesus says when the wicked are cast into outer darkness there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
     Jesus, I thank You that You are my Light. That with You there is no separation. Thank You that there is no fear in Christ Jesus. Amen.

What things is God showing you from His Word this week? Please leave your comments that we all might grow, speaking the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)

Blessings,

Gail



Journeying

 

 

As we begin a journey through Exodus, please read the chapter and then find the verse that God wants to use to speak to you. It may not be the verses God has shown me. If we all share things, we will all grow. Thanks so much for taking time to visit and please leave a comment.
                                            Blessings on your studies. Gail


Reading: Exodus 1:17; Matthew 10:28,29
      Because the midwives had more fear of God than of Pharaoh, they let the male children live. They still had a fear of Pharaoh or they would not have lied to him, but God forgave them and blessed them for sparing the lives of the Hebrew children.
       Most of the people reading this were probably born after the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in the US. Though abortion is a choice many young women fear that for them there is no choice. There has been 56 million abortions in this country since that decision was handed down by the supreme court. Read that number again - 56 million babies have died.  Thankfully places like Carolina Pregnancy are there to show these women that their babies can be spared. There is help and there is hope. We all need to be there for these women to show them the better choice and to offer them hope and forgiveness if they are in a post abortion situation. God blessed the Hebrew midwives for saving lives.
     Father, May we also fear God and care about people enough to save little lives. In Jesus name we ask. Amen.

Reading Exodus 2:11,12 ; Philippines 4:13
      Moses knew his upbringing that he was destined to be a man to help his people. He wanted to deliver his people. But God's timing is not our timing. Moses was trying to do God's will through his own strength. It is never through our strength that God's will is accomplished. We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us to do more but it must always be in God's timing. I am weak but He is strong.
      Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to wait upon you. Amen.

Reading Exodus 3:7-10; II Peter 3:9
      God saw and God knew what was happening to his people. Finally after 40 years the timing was right. The Hebrews were there for a reason, for a witness and the task was not always easy.
      Today many Christians around the world face imprisonment, torture and even death but God is allowing this for a reason, for a witness because He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
      Lord Jesus ,when I face adversity, help me see Your will in it that I might be an effective witness for you. Amen.

Reading Exodus 4:24-26; Ephesians 5:20-33
      Moses failed to lead his family in the ways of God. God was ready to kill him until his wife relented. God expects husbands, fathers, Christians which includes wives and mothers, to follow His guidelines. He expects fathers to instruct families.
     Lord Jesus, awaken the Christian fathers to their responsibilities to lead their families. Help the mothers to be subject to their Godly leadership. Amen.

Reading: Exodus 5:22,23; Matthew 11:29,30
      Moses and Aaron make their request before Pharaoh which caused Pharaoh to put more work on the people. The people became disgruntled with Moses and Aaron. Moses couldn't understand what went wrong, but, note,  Moses was praying about the matter.
     God sometimes allows things to get worse before they get better. Shouldn't we do like Moses? Wait patiently and  pray about it.
     Lord Jesus, help us to take your yoke and bear the burdens, staying faithful in prayer, knowing You are the great deliverer. Amen.