Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Lessons from Exodus; Vol. 2

Exodus 34; After Moses had a hissy fit and broke the tablets containing the 10 Commandments, He chisled two more tablets. God wrote the Commandments again! Praise God for His patience!
God revealed His name is Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
While Moses was on the mountain--alone with God--he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While Moses spent time with God, his appearance was changed--reflecting God's glory.
LESSON ONE: If we have any hope of reflecting God's glory, we must spend time with Him. While we probably will not show God's glory in a physical manner, His Spirit will change our heart. I am so haphazard in my time with God! I am so haphazard in my plans to be a reflection of God! I need to allow God to help me with a plan to be the moon that reflects the SON.

In Exodus 36-38, the LORD gifted some of the people with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. The people were eager to get to work, and did so.
Meanwhile, as they worked, the people made contributions of physical goods. They brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds. The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver. The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze.
LESSON TWO: All we have is given to us from God. It is only right that we use it to glorify Him in whatever manner He decides.

In Exodus 37, the Ark of the Covenant's Cover is called the place of atonement.
As we read in Exodus, God details a way to atone for the Hebrews' sin. But it was always temporary.
LESSON THREE: I believe the Cross is the place of atonement for us. We need no priest, but Jesus. We need no sacrifice, but Jesus. We need no sanctuary, but ourselves dedicated to Jesus and open to the filling of His Holy Spirit. I love that! Soooooo exciting! Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Lessons from Exodus; Vol. 1

In Exodus 2, while Moses is on Mt. Sinai, the people's impatience leads to evil desires. They talked Aaron in to making them "some gods." So, Aaron makes a golden calf for the Israelites to worship.
Lesson 1: These are the same people who have seen God's power. The parting of the Red Sea, God's provision of manna and quail. God's provision of water when Moses struck a rock. They had witnessed many more miracles! All of the sudden, God was not on their time table, and they turned to mischief. They turned to sin.
Hmmm...that sounds familiar. As American Christians, we can easily become impatient with God. After all, we have a time schedule. We know exactly how and when we want things to happen. I mean, they have been happening this way for years!
WAIT!! God has given and given us so much for so long, we some times believe we are in charge. We are in control. We have the power. LORD, HAVE MERCY!!! We have no power unless God gives it to us. We have nothing--including food, water, shelter, law & order, a job, a church, and most of all...a relationship with Him---unless God provides!

In Exodus 33, we are told that God knew Moses by name. My first question is, "Doesn't he know my name?" Well, of course he does. But, i believe this was a deeper meaning. God and Moses were friends. Why? Because Moses believed in God. Moses worshipped God. Moses obeyed God.
Lesson 2: If we want to be right with God, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe in Jesus. We must worship Jesus. We must obey Jesus. I believe Jesus not only wants to be our Lord and Savior----and he does. I believe Jesus wants to be our friend.