Idolatry Humility Die To Self. When we give in to this tendency, however, we find ourselves compromising what we know is right. This helps us see that God can use what little we have, when surrendered to Him, to do great things. I wondered. Even now, Jesus is the go-between for us to a holy and perfect God (Rom. But God has already intervened. Numbers Like him, we have our self-doubts and limitations. (He had those sheep to take care of, you know, and important work to do.) Christs love creates unity in the midst of diversity. Just then I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a boy walking with his mother toward the church. Circumstances may get worse before they improve. He will sort out the rest. You shall know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt. Before conditions would get better for His children, God tested them by allowing their suffering to increase. If Steve had gotten the van fixed en route, it would have cost him thousands of dollars he didnt have. But when you put honesty and kindness together, you have a wonderful pair that honors God and blesses others. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light. Thirty-five hundred years ago, Moses asked God who He was and got a peculiar answer. He observed that Moses was about to suffer burnout if he continued to try to do all the work of judging for the children of Israel by himself. Kind people may be soft and not concerned enough about righteousness. People who lack feeling for others are like cold fronts on the weather map in winteryou'd rather see them going than coming. Explorers who have descended into its interior describe a wonderland whose beauty is beyond almost anything they have ever seen. Celebrating Who God is and What He has done is the heart of group worship. He has already given us an incredible display of His power in His creation. . Amos having a more balanced rhythm to my life. D. 20:7). Give me the faith to believe that You. Moses pleaded with the Lord to send someone else, with the excuse that he had never been a good speaker (see Ex. I have long wondered why God would call Himself by such a name, but slowly I am learning its significance. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Both horse and driver. An ice storm last winter covered several states in a thick glasslike glaze. Mark Ellingsen. Leading the Israelites, arbitrating personal disputes, and handing down legal judgments for a great multitude was taking its toll. We tend to believe that a lot more can be done if we have large financial resources, talented manpower, and innovative ideas. But this Scripture verse helped me: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exod. We may be very plain and ordinary on the outsidebut as we allow Gods Spirit to work within us, the beauty of Gods indwelling presence will shine from our faces. Showing respect for God means learning what He wants us to do and then obeying Him completely. Havner, Take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning. Some people refer to the song of Exodus 15 as the Song of Moses. 14:5, 6, 7, 8, 9). In her book about the history of plastic surgery, Holly Brubach writes: I myself subscribe to the notion that by the time youre 50, you have the face you deserve. This tragic experience highlights the tension that Christians are required to maintain in relation to their possessions. Our impairments, our disabilities, our handicaps are not accidents; they are God-designed. The fifth of the Ten Commandments says: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). Plutonium, a naturally radioactive element, is one of the deadliest substances known to man. Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. Have you humbly acknowledged your guilt and received the gift of forgiveness that Jesus offers? Have you been to Jesus for cleansing? He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. You climb into a lifeboat. Take all my will, my passion, self and pride; Without Christ we can do nothing. Wanting what isnt ours causes us to lie, steal, commit adultery, murder, and refuse to honor our parents. Proverbs 19:22, An honest and kind man drove the streets of San Francisco for more than an hour to find the woman who had left her purse with $1,792 in cash on the back seat of his cab. It is enough; go up against the giant, and the great Goliath fell before the shepherd boy. The people had just seen God save them from certain, watery death. But then God led them to Elim where they enjoyed wells of sweet water and the coolness of sheltering palms. In Psalm 23, we learn that our Good Shepherd makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside the still waters. He knows that we need the calm and rest that these provide, even when we dont realize it ourselves. Is that person number one in our affections? . The phrase I am who I am can be interpreted, I will be who I will be and reveals Gods eternal and all-sufficient character. . read more, Scripture: Bribery deprives others of justice, which is an offense against the character of God, who is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe (10:17). Praise flows naturally from a grateful heart. Can any of us claim that weve never violated one of Gods laws? As Moses trust in God grew, so did the magnitude of miracles God worked through His servant. read more, Scripture: What was wrong with the ancient Israelites? They became so discouraged, they couldn't accept Moses' assurance that God had heard their cries and promised to take them to a land of their own (Ex 6:9). More and more calendars start the week with Monday, the day God considers second. Romans The world is undeniably in great need. From spiritual slavery to spiritual freedom. Well learn that He is even more than the the owner and creator of everything. Psalms 46:1, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 37:39, Exodus 15:2, Tags: Exodus 15:11, Denomination: Until it was replaced by Solomons temple in Jerusalem, the tabernacle served not only as a house of worship, but also as the center of Israels national life. John said, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). When the way ahead of us seems uncertain, its good to remember what God has done in the past. . Scientific Illustrations: Exodus 15:22-27: Bitter Things Made Sweet: G. D. Krummacher. And when we are enjoying the encouragement of Elim, we should rejoice, knowing that God is strengthening us for the rest of the journey. I have one of those friends who seems to be better than I am at just about everything. Dt. 1 Thessalonians He pours His strength into a worm, and it becomes an instrument with teeth. He stiffens a frail reed and it becomes as an iron pillar. When I reject the advice of others and say, God told me to go this way, I misuse His name if all I am doing is seeking approval for my own desires. Come now, therefore, I will send thee. Thus saith the Lord, and He who gives the command will also give the equipment. Psalms 46:1, Psalms 28:8, Psalms 37:39, Exodus 15:2, Tags: . Such a forecast could very well have applied to Israel when God sent Moses to free His people from slavery in Egypt. Or perhaps our job is our top priority. Mead. To be a channel of blessing, let Christ's love flow through you. . When we remember Jesus' cross and submit to the Father as He did, bitter experiences can become sweet. The Bible mentions no less than two dozen words relating to fear. Each week, new sermon illustrations are posted to the illustration archivemany of these are taken from Dr. Chappell's files, and many others are submitted from our contributors. Exodus 15:2, Jack and Trisha were driving to the hospital late one night for the birth of their second child when the unexpected happened. . When we ask, Who am I? we can remember that God said, I AM., Dear Lord, help me to remember that You are, abilities. 15:2), His power (Ex. Action movies would lose a lot of their effect without the fast paced Our Scripture reading for today contains Moses' response to God's call at the burning bush. Those Christians who with thankful hearts. I thought about that sunrise a few moments ago, and I realize I lost an opportunity for worship this morning. Our gifts arent recognized. A few hours before the event, we began calling our 100+ guests to inform them of a change in venue. Sinai. Moses could easily have said, "Look, Dad, I'm in charge here. We have consolation in Christ, comfort from His love, and fellowship with the Spirit. D. Verses 22-26 describe the incident at Marah, occasioned by thirst of the Israelites and the bitter water which they found there. You will surely wear yourselves out. The crushing of the incense is a picture of what happened to Christ. Acts Joshua had a similar experience when he approached the captain of the host of the Lord. After meeting with God, Moses brought Gods messages back down the mountain to the people below. After God miraculously rescued them from slavery, they became impatient when Moses climbed Mt. The fathers death did not disannul the promise of the Lord. By 1990, when Lee stepped down from his position, Singapore had become a model country for ethnic harmony and a thriving economy. David H. Roper, O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine, Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. "That kind of impious longevity may be the exception, not the rule," says Dr. George W. Comstock of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. And because of His majesty and holiness, we are to exalt and worship Him. God Brings Purpose, My beautiful mama was always so strong, a tower of strength, courage and faith that stood like a beacon for our family. The Lord went before them . Sometimes God provides for us in surprising ways. Engineers who work for the glory of God design machines that make life easier. In the later verses, Moses looks forward to what God will do to establish His people in their new land (vv. Ezra Although this monument is enormous, it doesn't appear as impressive from a distance as it does when seen up close. Although Im closer to 80 than 70, I still want to think of myself as a modern man. So I keep up with the news, read current books, and use up-to-date sources when I research a subject. A Christian who is willing to do little things for others can do great things for the Lord. Exodus 16:6. Get several and life is miserable--even when the fish are biting. All the adults searched for it, to the childs delight. But their freedom was short-lived; Assyrian, Babylonian, and Roman domination followed. The Lord still intervenes and saves broken lives today, but He does this mainly by using us! 1 Corinthians 5:7. The words: Bitter and Better both start with a B and end with Tter. But God has given something betterthe indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 15:26). He said they were children of their father the Devil (John 8:44), and they were incapable of speaking the truth because they refused to hear it (John 8:43, 44, 45, 46, 47). He was worried that his lack of eloquence would disqualify him; likewise, we often find our tongue getting tied while trying to deliver Gods message. read more, Scripture: Reprinted by permission. to live in a land where everything was better and brighter. Among his writings is this statement: "They who first introduced images of the gods removed fear and added error.". God uses life's setbacks to help us move ahead. Moses also felt inadequate when God recruited him for the task of telling Pharaoh to release the Israelites. When I was a little girl, my mother gave me her prized "reader" to help me learn, just as it had helped her years earlier. 1:21, 22). D. . My own experience seems to confirm many of Murphy's Laws, but it's that second one that I would hang on the wall as a motto. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 12:51). (view less), Denomination: When I consider my office, Im astounded at how quickly it descends into chaos and how long it takes me to restore order. Years ago, world-famous evangelist Billy Graham was scheduled to speak at Cambridge University in England, but he did not feel qualified to address the sophisticated thinkers. However, a bad illustration can distract and confuse if the listener. . Sometimes life can seem like an arid desert. My friend Jeff was asked by his daughter to officiate at her wedding. It was called Sabbath. This was a life-threatening situation. as a man speaks to his friend." Throughout the day we can turn our thoughts into psalms by meditating on God's holiness, His worthiness of our worship, and how much we need Him. Seeing God at work puts a song in our heart. be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. We need to keep going forwardwithout the possibility of putting life into reverse. Exodus 20:12 Commandment 5Honor Your Parents, Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land. The Israelites were trapped. . When that doesn't happen, we become "victims," we Prayer is meant to be an intimate conversation with Godour best friend. The kind of fear that is cast out by love, though, is a cringing dread of eternal punishment. We are not dead, but we may feel weve become invisible. Wherever God sends us, He comes alongside us. My book Disappointment With God explores three questions many Christians ask: Is God hidden? These words describe most of the clothes I try on. Honoring our parents is learned by example. Some would love to have others think of their lives like Niagara Falls wild, spectacular, and loud. While traveling in a foreign country, my husband noticed that the paved roads had deep indentations. He told His disciples, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). During the ride, the woman revealed to my wife that she was a believer but she struggled with drug addiction. 31:12-18). A burning bush experience. Good works are not the means of salvation but the result. We may treat ourselves and others as having no worth. 3:8). INSIGHT: Genesis 2:7-15 gives us a glimpse into the perfect living environment of Adam and Eve before the fall. As long as you want anything very much, especially more than you want God, it is an idol. During the dry and dusty days of desert wanderings, they needed a reminder of Gods majesty. Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters. and confusion. I like what he said when some of his fellow drivers ridiculed him for not pocketing the money. God told Moses that He would enable him to do what He called him to do. Hardening of the heart is more serious than hardening of the arteries. Learn more about our Old Testament heritage. Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence. Exodus 15:12,1318 Our Strength And Song, The Lord shall reign forever and ever. The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty. The symbol of the almond blossom is linked to Gods anointed priesthood (Numbers 17:1-8). . read more. ALAN CARR Sermons on Exodus. One half was shared by the guests; the other half was hidden by the youngest family member. Their demonic power was clearly evident when their rods became serpents. Children learn to honor, respect, and obey their parents when they see Mom and Dad honoring one another, when they feel respected, affirmed, and loved by their parents, and when they observe their obedience to God. Its hard to be content with my life as it is when in His presence I am drawn to become more like Him. But I often think of his words when I grapple with fear. It was going to be a night of devastation and sorrow because the ruler was in a fatal frame of mind. As Billy Graham said that day, When God calls you, do not be afraid of trembling and wobbling knees, for He will be with you!. Sinai to meet God and didnt return according to their timetable. Today, under the New Covenant, believers celebrate the first day of the week in remembrance of Christs resurrection. . I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty. In his book "Psalms of the Heart," George Sweeting tells of two Moody Bible Institute graduates, John and Elaine Beekman, who, in 1951, began missionary work among the Chol Indians of southern Mexico. But when we walk with God, we need not be afraid. Assuming that Aaron did the same thing in Pharaohs presence, it would be obvious that his act was a true miracle and not trickery. Amazed that the van had made it, he offered to replace the engine free of charge. And He will protect us from the attacks of Satan (Jn. The first section (Ex. Fear, Protection, Strength, God Is Our Strength, Denomination: [The Lord] has filled him with the Spirit of God . The only difference is: the letter I and E. It was the late American pastor and author Donald Barnhouse; Are we using our material blessings to serve the Lord or have we become slaves to them? Such images dishonor God because they distort His glory, and this can lead to sin. He chose to give special significance to 2 days of the week, the first and the last. When children arrived at the museum, they were told that the people in the exhibits had come alive and needed to be led back to their proper place. He is everything we could possibly need. He is the one true God! I knew God had divinely commissioned His ambassadors to perform a miracle, but were those on Satans side permitted special demonic power to do the same? He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people" (Exodus 13:21, 22). While majoring in piano performance in college, she developed tendinitis in her right arm, and it became too weak to perform the solo recital that was required. Just for cooking this took 4000 tons of firewood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day!!! You will find His blessings all outpoured-, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." His same infinite greatness that mocks mans defiance also marks His sympathy for man in his lost condition. The people had been crying out to God to help them (Ex. I marvel when I see a carpenter make things fit without measuring and remeasuring again and again. God Brings Purpose, My beautiful mama was always so strong, a tower of strength, courage and faith that stood like a beacon for our family. Work is a gift, not a god. 4:4). Sometimes I wonder why God didnt list the Ten Commandments in reverse order, since the 10th commandment correlates to the first sindesire. This commandment to children actually touches us all. Oh, Doctor, she asked, how long am I going to have to stay in bed?, With wisdom and kindness he gently replied, Only one dayone day at a time!. Moses felt inadequate when God sent him to deliver the enslaved Israelites from their 400-year captivity in Egypt. So, what can sweeten the painful experiences of life? Exodus 3:14. Are you anxious about the task God has given you to do today? But we can readjust by making changes that will ease our burden. It had an altar of incense where priests burned a blend of fragrant spices made by a perfumer. Lets seek Gods help and learn to accept His timing. Sixteen Tons, written by Merle Travis and recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford, became one of Americas most popular songs in the mid-1950s. God says, I AM WHO I AM. He and His name are perfect. We offer God our best talents because He is worthy. Charismatic. All God wants from us is to follow His plans. We hold His character in such high respect that we choose "to hate evil" (Pr 8:13) , knowing that all His commands are for our good. They poured out their hearts in worship to the God of their salvation. Soon after leaving slavery and Egypt behind, they looked up and saw a distressing sight. Whenever God leads us to a campsite at Marah, where we experience bitterness, sorrow, or disappointment, we must keep in mind that we will one day drink the sweet water of Elim's wells and feel the refreshing shade of its palms. We see this in the story of what Jethro did for Moses when he told his son-in-law to delegate some of his responsibilities (Exodus 18:17-23). Then followed an evening of stories and songs, and the oft-repeated phrase: LChayim! We enjoyed our time with my father and were glad to ease Steve and Judys loadeven if it was only for a few days. Have you learned some of these lessons? Exodus 34:6. Or is that verdict of condemnation too sweeping? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (15:11). When facing a crisis, trust God and move forward. As you obey His commands, He will lead you out of the desert and into a place of spiritual abundance, healing, and refreshment. This is Premium Content. The Bible tells us that our creativity as human beings comes from being made in the image of the Master Creator (Gen. 1:27). However, Christians have a greater blessing in the (Exodus 20:3). Although Moses may have questioned his effectiveness because he was slow of speech (4:10), God said, I will certainly be with you (3:12). Some of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil had to be crushed before they were used, because until they were crushed their fragrance could not be released. But God parted the Red Sea and they walked through on dry land. No one gave Him a second look. It signaled the beginning of the events that led to His sacrifice and our redemption from sin and Satan. J. I. Packer says, What is forbidden is any use or involvement of Gods name that is empty, frivolous, or insincere. This includes any kind of irreverence, because it fails to take seriously Gods character and reputation which is represented by His name. Exodus 15:25. The patriarch Abraham was also called Gods friend (2Chronicles 20:7). Exodus 15:22-27 . Thinking that theyre better than your own, Were designed for you and you alone. He knew their needs because He planned their way. On the first day of the week . Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death." God's intervention is often the result of our intercession. From this they conclude that the magicians knew how to paralyze a snake by putting pressure on the back of its neck so that it would become rigid. They gave them up to help prepare a place where Gods presence would reside. God had originally intended for humanity to live forever, but after the fall Adam and Eve were prevented from eating from the Tree of Life so that they would not live forever in their sinful condition (Genesis 3:22-24). G. Both of them responded with instructions. David C. McCasland, Justice is the clarion call for Christians-. 46:10). While we must avoid all legalistic attitudes and practices regarding it (Rom. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they Psalm 23:2-3. The temple was a physical example of Gods presence on earth also (1 Kings 58). The way to keep from being stung is to stay far from it. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. The beauty of a mother. When I teach, I sometimes use the motto Question Authority to get the attention of my students. To worship is to recognize the supreme worth of God. God is working in secret to pour out rivers of water for every man, woman, and child. Sometimes we need to trust God and take immediate action. 8:31). So be encouraged. So when lifes problems are baffling, when you face some Red Sea impossibility, call upon the wonder-working God who upholds all things. 15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: "I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. De Haan. They left the heavy burden of slavery, but they also left everything stable and predictable they had ever known. Think about the Lords instructions for worship in the Old Testament tabernacle. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Psalm 2:11). Perhaps you know someone like this. Yet people attempt to make gods out of such things as money, possessions, pleasure, knowledge, and people, and in so doing forget the true God. Like a caricature, a distorted view of God is not taken seriously. You just can't take it." Moses described times when children were retold vital stories from Jewish history. Lets be careful never to turn the hallowed name of our awesome and mighty God into just another flippant phrase on our lips or in a text message. Rejecting His good guidance, most of them died in the barren landover one million of them. Hoffman. Reprinted by permission. Music was also a component of worship, as we learn from reading 2 Chronicles 29:28. These are the words Moses spoke to the Israelites when they had just escaped from slavery in Egypt and were being pursued by Pharaoh. Caricature artists set up their easels in public places and draw pictures of people who are willing to pay a modest price for a humorous image of themselves.
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