Don't take the easy way out. (1 Samuel 24:16-19)

1 Samuel 24:16-19

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you, my son David?” Then he began to cry. ¹⁷ And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. ¹⁸ Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. ¹⁹ Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.

The means we use to accomplish a goal are just as important as the goal we are trying to accomplish. David's goal was to become king, so his men urged him to kill Saul when he had the chance. David's refusal was not an example of cowardice but of courage - the courage to stand against the group and do what he knew was right. Don't compromise your moral standings by giving in to group pressure or taking the easy was out.

Joe

Happy New Year

 

 

Do you turn to God first or as a last resort. (1 Samuel 14:35-36)

1 Samuel 14:35-36

New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁵ Then Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first of the altars he built to the Lord.
³⁶ Then Saul said, “Let’s chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let’s destroy every last one of them.”
His men replied, “We’ll do whatever you think is best.”

But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.”

After being king for several years, Saul finally built his first altar to God, but only as a last resort. Throughout Saul's reign he consistently approached God only after he tried everything else. This was in sharp contrast to the priest, who suggested that God be consulted first. How much better if Saul had gone to God first, building an altar as first official act as king. God is too great to be an afterthought. When we turn to Him first, we will never have to turn to Him as a last resort.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

God knows our true motives. (1 Samuel 13:12-14)

1 Samuel 13:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”

¹³ “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

Saul had plenty of excuses for his disobedience. But Samuel zeroed in on the real issue: “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you." Like Saul, we often gloss over our mistakes and sins, trying to justify and "spiritualize" our actions because of our special circumstances. Our excuses, however, are nothing more than disobedience. God knows our true motives. He forgives, restores, and blesses only when we are honest about our sins. (By trying to hide his sins behind excuses, Saul lost his kingship.)

Joe

Don't forget that God is on your side. (1 Samuel 13:6-7)

1 Samuel 13:6-7

The Message (MSG)

^6-7 When the Israelites saw that they were way outnumbered and in deep trouble, they ran for cover, hiding in caves and pits, ravines and brambles and cisterns—wherever. They retreated across the Jordan River, refugees fleeing to the country of Gad and Gilead. But Saul held his ground in Gilgal, his soldiers still with him but scared to death.

When we forget who is on our side or see only our own resources, we tend to panic at the sight of the opposition. The Israelites became terrified and hid when they saw the mighty Philistine army. They forgot that God was on their side and that He couldn't be defeated. As you face problems and temptations, focus your attention on God and His resources, trusting Him to help you.

Joe

Are you rejecting God? (1 Samuel 10:19)

1 Samuel 10:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ But though I have rescued you from your misery and distress, you have rejected your God today and have said, ‘No, we want a king instead!’ Now, therefore, present yourselves before the Lord by tribes and clans.”

Israel's true king was God, but the nation demanded another. Imagine wanting a human being instead of God as guide and leader! Throughout history, men and women have rejected God, and they continue to do it today. Are you rejecting God by pushing Him aside and acknowledging someone or something else as your "king" or top priority? Learn from these stories of Israel's kings, and don't push God aside.

Joe

Don't neglect your family responsibilities. (1 Samuel 3:13)

1 Samuel 3:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ I have warned him that judgment is coming upon his family forever, because his sons are blaspheming God and he hasn’t disciplined them.

 

 

Eli had spent his entire life in service to God. His responsibility was to oversee all the worship in Israel. But in pursuing this great mission he neglected the responsibilities in his own home. Don't let your desire to do God's work cause you to neglect your family. If you do, your mission may degenerate into a quest for personal importance, and your family will suffer the consequences of your neglect.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is no Rock like our God. (1 Samuel 2:2)

1 Samuel 2:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² No one is holy like the Lord!
    There is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.


Hannah praised God for being a Rock - firm, strong, and unchanging. In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change. It's difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change. Those who devote their lives to achievements, causes, or possessions have as their security that which is finite and changeable. The possessions that we work so hard to obtain will all pass away. But God is always present. Hope in Him. He will never fail.


Joe

Merry Christmas (Matthew 1:21)

Matthew 1:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus means, "the Lord saves." Jesus came to save us because we can't save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can't eliminate the sinful nature present in all of us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn't come to help people save them selves; He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Christ for His death on the cross for your sin, and them ask Him to take control of your life. Your new life begins at that moment.

Joe

Is God first in your life? (Judges 8:23)

Judges 8:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The Lord will rule over you!

The people wanted to make Gideon their king, but Gideon stressed that the Lord was to rule over them. Despite his inconsistencies, Gideon never lost sight of the importance, for both a nation and an individual, of putting God first. Is God first in your life? If He is, He must affect every dimension of your life, not just what you do in church.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put your confidence in God. (Judges 7:2-7)

Judges 7:2-7

New Living Translation (NLT)

² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. ³ Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.
⁴ But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” ⁵ When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” ⁶ Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.
⁷ The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.”

Self-sufficiency is an enemy when it causes us to believe we can always do what needs to be done in our own strength. To prevent this attitude among Gideon's soldiers, God reduced their number from 32,000 to 300. With an army this small, there could be no doubt that victory was from God. The men could not take the credit. Like Gideon, we must recognize the danger of fighting in our own strength. We can be confident of victory only if we put our confidence in God and not ourselves.

Joe

“I will be with you" (Judges 6:14-16)

Judges 6:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
¹⁵ “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”

¹⁶ The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

"I will be with you," God told Gideon, and God promised to give him the strength he needed to overcome the opposition. In spite of this clear promise for strength, Gideon made excuses. Seeing only his limitations and weaknesses, he failed to see how God could work through him.

Like Gideon, we are called to serve God in specific ways. Although God promises us the tools and strength we need, we often make excuses. But reminding God of our limitations only implies that He does not know all about us or that He has made a mistake in evaluating our character. Don't spend time making excuses. Instead, spend it doing what God wants.

Joe

When problems come, the first place to look is within. (Judges 6:13)

Judges 6:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

Gideon questioned God about the problems he and his nation faced and about God's apparent lack of help. What he didn't acknowledge was the fact that the people had brought calamity upon themselves when they decided to disobey and neglect God. How easy it is to overlook personal accountability and blame our problems on God and others. Unfortunately this does not solve our problems. It brings us no closer to God, and it escorts us to the very edge of rebellion and backsliding.

When problems come, the first place to look is within. Our first action should be confession to God of sins that may have created our problems.

Joe

Turning to God shouldn't be a last resort. (Judges 6:6)

Judges 6:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

Again the Israelites hit rock bottom before turning back to God. How much suffering they could of avoided if they had trusted Him. Turning to God shouldn't be a last resort; we should look to Him for help each day. This isn't to say life will always be easy. There will be struggles, but God will give us the strength to live through them. Don't wait until your at the end of your rope. Call on God first in every situation.

Joe

Destroy the idols among you. (Joshua 24:23)

Joshua 24:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ “All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Joshua told the Israelites to throw away their foreign gods, or idols. To follow God requires destroying whatever gets in the way of worshiping Him. We have our own form of idols - greed, wrong priorities, jealousies, prejudices - that get in the way of worshiping God. God is not satisfied if we merely hide these idols. We must completely remove them from our lives.

Joe

"As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Joshua 24:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, Joshua had made a commitment to God, and he was willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God.

Joe

Every promise was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:43-45)

Joshua 21:43-45

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁴³ So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had promised to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And Israel took it over. Then they made their homes there. ⁴⁴ The Lord gave them peace and rest on every side. He had promised their people of long ago that he would do that. Not one of Israel’s enemies was able to fight against them and win. The Lord handed all their enemies over to them. ⁴⁵ The Lord kept all the good promises he had made to the Israelites. Every one of them came true.

God proved faithful in fulfilling every promise He had given to Israel. Fulfillment of some promises took several years, "but every one was fulfilled." His promises will be fulfilled according to His timetable, not ours, but we know that His Word is true. The more we learn of those promises God has fulfilled and continues to fulfill, the easier it is to hope for those yet to come. Sometimes we become impatient, wanting God to act in a certain way now. Instead, we should faithfully do what we know He wants us to do and trust Him for the future.

Joe

Anyone can trust God when the going is easy. (Joshua 19:47-48)

Joshua 19:47-48

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴⁷ But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of their land so they attacked the town of Laish. They captured it, slaughtered its people, and settled there. They renamed the town Dan after their ancestor.

⁴⁸ The homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Dan included these towns and their surrounding villages.

The tribe of Dan found that some of their land was difficult to conquer, so they chose to migrate to Leshem where they knew victory would be easier. Anyone can trust God when the going is easy. It is when everything looks impossible that our faith and courage are put to the test. Have faith that God is great enough to tackle your most difficult situations.

Joe

God gives us the victories. (Joshua 10:32)

Joshua 10:32

New Living Translation (NLT)

³² Here again, the Lord gave them Lachish. Joshua took it on the second day ...

Notice that in every Israelite victory, the text gives the credit to the Lord. All of Israel's victories came from God. When we are successful, the temptation is to take all the credit and glory as though we did it by ourselves, in our own strength. In reality, God gives us the victories; and He alone delivers us from our enemies. We should give Him the credit and praise Him for His goodness.

Joe

God welcomes your honest prayers. (Joshua 7:7-9)

Joshua 7:7-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! ⁸ Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? ⁹ For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?”

Imagine praying this way to God. This is not a formal church prayer; it is the prayer of a man who is afraid and confused by what is happening around him. Joshua poured out his real thoughts to God. Hiding your need from God is ignoring the only one who can really help. God welcomes your honest prayers and wants you to express your true feelings to Him. Any believer can become more honest in prayer by remembering that God is all-knowing and all-powerful and that His love is everlasting.

Joe

Apply the Bible to your life and share it with your family. (Deuteronomy 32:46)

Deuteronomy 32:46

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴⁶ he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions.

Moses urged the people to think about God's Word and teach it to their children. The Bible can sit on your bookshelf and gather dust, or you can make it a vital part of your life by regularly setting aside time to study it. When you discover the wisdom of God's message, you will want to apply it to your life and pass it on to your family and others. The Bible is not merely good reading - it's real help for real life.

Joe

 

 

 

The best leaders are both goal-oriented and people-oriented. (Numbers 27:15-17)

Numbers 27:15-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Then Moses said to the Lord, ¹⁶ “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. ¹⁷ Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Moses asked God to appoint a leader who was capable of directing both external and internal affairs - one who could lead them into battle, but who would also care for their needs. The Lord responded by appointing Joshua. Many people want to be know as leaders. Some are very capable of reaching their goals, while others care deeply for the people in their charge. The best leaders are both goal-oriented and people-oriented.

Joe

Don't blame others for your problems. (Numbers 20:3-5)

Numbers 20:3-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! ⁴ Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? ⁵ Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

After 37 years in the desert, the Israelites forgot that their wanderings were a result of their parents' and their own sin. They could not accept the fact that they brought their problems upon themselves, so they blamed Moses for their condition. Often our troubles result from our own disobedience or lack of faith. We cannot blame God for our sins. Until we face this reality, we will have little peace and no spiritual growth.

Joe

Increased opportunity brings increased responsibility. (Numbers 14:20-23)

Numbers 14:20-23

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; ²¹ but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord— ²² because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, ²³ they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.

The people of Israel had a clearer view of God than any people before them, for they had both His law and His physical presence. Their refusal to follow God after witnessing His miraculous deeds and listening to His words made the judgment against them more severe. Increased opportunity brings increased responsibility. As Jesus said in Luke 12:48, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded". How much greater is our responsibility to obey and serve God - we have the whole Bible, and we know God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Joe

Don't be too quick to reject advice you don't like. (Numbers 14:6-10)

Numbers 14:6-10

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. ⁷ They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! ⁸ And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. ⁹ Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

¹⁰ But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

Two wise men, Joshua and Caleb, encouraged the people to act on God's promise and move ahead into the land. The people rejected their advice and even talked of killing them. Don't be too quick to reject advice you don't like. Evaluate it carefully, comparing it to the teaching in God's Word. The advice may be God's message.

Joe

You have better ways to use your energy than to complain. (Numbers 14:1-4)

Numbers 14:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

14 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. ² Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. ³ “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” ⁴ Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

When the chorus of despair went up, everyone joined in. Their greatest fears were being realized. Losing their perspective, the people were caught up in the emotion of the moment, forgetting what they knew about God's character. What if the people had spent as much energy moving forward as they did moving back? They could have enjoyed their land - instead they never even entered it. When a cry of despair goes up around you, consider the larger perspective before you join in. You have better ways to use your energy than to complain.

Joe

Don't complain to each other, Bring your problems to God. (Numbers 11:1, 6-15 )

Numbers 11:1, 6-15

New International Version (NIV)

11:1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.  ⁶ But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
⁷ The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. ⁸ The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. ⁹ When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down.

¹⁰ Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. ¹¹ He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? ¹² Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? ¹³ Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ ¹⁴ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

The Israelites complained and then Moses complained. But God responded positively to Moses and negatively to the rest of the people. Why? The people complained to one another, and nothing was accomplished. Moses took his complaint to God, who could solve any problem. Many of us are good at complaining to each other. We need to learn to take our problems to the One who can do something about them.

Joe

Do you appreciate the people who help you? (Numbers 10:29-32)

Numbers 10:29-32

New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.”
³⁰ He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.”

³¹ But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. ³² If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”

By complimenting Hobab's desert skills, Moses let him know he was needed. People cannot know you appreciate them if you do not tell them they are important to you. Complimenting those who deserve it builds lasting relationships and helps people know they are valued. Think about those who have helped you. What can you do to let them know how much you need and appreciate them.

Joe

A good leader. (Exodus 39:42-43)

Exodus 39:42-43

The Message (MSG)

^42-43 The Israelites completed all the work, just as God had commanded. Moses saw that they had done all the work and done it exactly as God had commanded. Moses blessed them.

 

Moses inspected the finished work, saw that it was done the way God wanted, and then blessed the people. A good leader follows up on assigned tasks and gives rewards for good work. In whatever responsible position you find yourself, follow up to make sure that tasks are completed as intended, and show your appreciation to the people who have helped.

Joe

 

 

 

Amanda 12/4/1983 - 9/15/2003

Happy Birthday Amanda !

I Love you too !

Dad

(Hug your children today and tell them how much you love them!)

People need to pull together for their church. (Exodus 36:8-9)

Exodus 36:8-9

Living Bible (TLB)

^8-9 The skilled weavers first made ten sheets from fine linen, then embroidered into them blue, purple, and scarlet Guardian Angels. Each sheet was 42 feet long and 6 feet wide.

Making cloth (spinning and weaving) took a great deal of time in Moses' day. The effort involved in making enough cloth for the Tabernacle was staggering. The tabernacle would never have been built without tremendous community involvement. Today, churches often require this same kind of pulling together. Without it, many essential services wouldn't get done.

Joe

How often do you spend time alone with God? (Exodus 34:28-35)

Exodus 34:28-35

 

New Living Translation

 

²⁸ Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant—the Ten Commandments—on the stone tablets.
²⁹ When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. ³⁰ So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.

³¹ But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. ³² Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. ³³ When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. ³⁴ But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, ³⁵ and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.

 

Moses' face was radiant after he spent time with God. The people could clearly see God's presence in him. How often do you spend time alone with God? Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.

 

Joe

Do not gossip. (Exodus 23:1)

Exodus 23:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

23 “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.

Making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God. Gossip, slander, and false witnessing undermined families, strained neighborhood cooperation, and made chaos of the justice system. Destructive gossip still cause problems. Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it along. Don't circulate rumors, squelch them.

Joe

Express God's love to foreigners. (Exodus 22:21)

Exodus 22:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.

God warned the Israelites not to treat foreigners unfairly because they themselves were once foreigners in Egypt. It is not easy coming into a new environment where you feel alone and out of place. Are there foreigners in your corner of the world? Refugees? New arrivals at school? Immigrants from another country? Be sensitive to their struggles, and express God's love by your kindness and generosity.

Joe

Honor your parents ! (Exodus 20:12)

Exodus 20:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

This is the first commandment with a promise attached. To live in peace for generations in the promised land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to "honor" parents? Partly, it means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect. It means following their teachings and example of putting God first. Parents have a special place in God's sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them.

Joe

Do not misuse the name of the Lord. (Exodus 20:7)

Exodus 20:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

God's name is special because it carries His personal identity. Using it frivolously or in a curse is so common today that we may fail to realize how serious it is. The way we use God's name conveys how we really feel about Him. We should respect His name and use it appropriately, speaking it in praise or worship rather than in curse or jest. We should not take lightly the abuse or dishonor of His name.

Joe

Tell your family about the Lord.

Exodus 18:8-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

⁸ Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles. ⁹ Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

¹⁰ “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! ¹¹ I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”

Moses told his father-in-law all that God had done, convincing him that the Lord was greater than any other god. Our relatives are often the hardest people to tell about God. Yet we should look for opportunities to tell them what God is doing in our lives because we can have an important influence on them.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving...Take the time during your Thanksgiving gathering to tell your family about God.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We need to "lift up the hands" of our spiritual leaders. (Exodus 17:10-13)

Exodus 17:10-13

^10-13 Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses’ hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.

Aaron and Hur stood by Moses' side and held up his arms to ensure victory against Amalek. We need to "lift up the hands" of our spiritual leaders as well. Shouldering some responsibility, lending a word of encouragement, or offering a prayer are ways of refreshing spiritual leaders in their work.

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complain or Pray ? (Exodus 17:2)

Exodus 17:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.

“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”

Again the people complained about their problem instead of praying. Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.

Joe

God can open up a way. (Exodus 14:21)

Exodus 14:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

²¹ Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.

There was no apparent way of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don't panic; God can open up a way.

Joe

Get Moving ! (Exodus 14:15)

Exodus 14:15

New Living Translation (NLT)

Escape through the Red Sea

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

The Lord told Moses to stop praying and get moving! Prayer must have a vital place in our lives, but there is also a place for action. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then it is time to get moving.

Joe

Look to God's Word. (Exodus 13:21-22)

Exodus 13:21-22

New International Version (NIV)

²¹ By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²² Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

God gave the Hebrews a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire so they would know day and night that God was with them on their journey to the promised land. What has God given us so that we can have the same assurance? The Bible - something the Israelites did not have. Look to God's Word for reassurance of His presence. As the Hebrews looked to the pillars of cloud and fire, we can look to God's Word day and night to know He is with us, helping us on our journey.

Joe

It is important to tell our children about God's work in our lives. (Exodus 10:2)

Exodus 10:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.”

God told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. What stories Moses had to tell! Living out one of the greatest dramas in Biblical history, he witnessed events few people would ever see. It is important to tell our children about God's work in our past and to help them see what He is doing right now. What are the turning points in your life where God intervened? What is God doing for you now? Your stories will form the foundations of your children's belief in God.

Joe

Be persistent. (Exodus 9:1)

Exodus 9:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

9 “Go back to Pharaoh,” the Lord commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.

This was the fifth time God sent Moses to Pharaoh with the demand, "Let my people go!" By this time, Moses may have been tired and discouraged, but he continued to obey. Is there a difficult conflict you must face again and again? Don't give up when you know what is right to do. As Moses discovered, persistence is rewarded.

Joe

Don't miss the quiet miracles. (Exodus 7:17)

Exodus 7:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ So this is what the Lord says: “I will show you that I am the Lord.” Look! I will strike the water of the Nile with this staff in my hand, and the river will turn to blood.

God dramatically turned the waters of the Nile into blood to show Pharaoh who He was. Do you sometimes wish for miraculous signs so you can be sure about God? God has given you the miracle of eternal life through faith in Him, something Pharaoh never obtained. This is a quiet miracle and, though less evident right now, just as extraordinary as water turned into blood. The desire for spectacular signs may cause us to ignore the more subtle miracles God is working every day.

Joe

Big problems = Big answers for God. (Exodus 6:6)

Exodus 6:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ “Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.

Small problems need only small answers. But when we face great problems, God has an opportunity to exercise His great power. As the Hebrews' troubles grew steadily worse, God planned to intervene with His mighty power and perform great miracles to deliver them. How big are your problems? Big problems put you in a perfect position to watch God give big answers.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God uses unexpected sources to communicate to us. (Exodus 3:2)

Exodus 3:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.

God spoke to Moses from an unexpected source: a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he went to investigate. God may use unexpected sources when communicating to us too, whether people, thoughts, or experiences. Be willing to investigate, and be open to God's surprises.

Joe

God's Schedule (Exodus 2:23-25)

Exodus 2:23-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. ²⁴ God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ²⁵ He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.

God's rescue doesn't always come the moment we want it. God had promised to bring the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. The people had waited a long time for that promise to be kept, but God rescued them when He knew the right time had come. God knows the best time to act. When you feel that God has forgotten you in your troubles, remember that God has a time schedule we can't see.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We cannot be overcomers without troubles to overcome. (Exodus 1:12)

Exodus 1:12

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹² But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.

The Egyptians tried to wear down the Hebrew people by forcing them into slavery and mistreating them. Instead, the Hebrews multiplied and grew stronger. When we are burdened or mistreated, we may feel defeated. But our burdens can make us stronger and develop qualities in us that will prepare us for the future. We cannot be overcomers without troubles to overcome. Be true to God in the hard times because even the worst situations can make us better people.

Joe

God goes with you. (Genesis 46:3-4)

Genesis 46:3-4

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

³ “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. ⁴ I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.”

God told Jacob to leave his home and travel to a strange and faraway land. But God reassured him by promising to go with him and take care of him. When new situations or surroundings frighten you, recognize that experiencing fear is normal. To be paralyzed by fear, however, is an indication that you question God's ability to take care of you.

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

God forgives and blesses us if we ask. (Genesis 45:17-20)

Genesis 45:17-20

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘This is what you must do: Load your pack animals, and hurry back to the land of Canaan. ¹⁸ Then get your father and all of your families, and return here to me. I will give you the very best land in Egypt, and you will eat from the best that the land produces.’”

¹⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt to carry your little children and your wives, and bring your father here. ²⁰ Don’t worry about your personal belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”

 

Joseph was rejected, kidnapped, enslaved, and imprisoned. Although his brothers have been unfaithful to him, he graciously forgave them and shared his prosperity. Joseph demonstrated how God forgives us and showers us with goodness even though we have sinned against him. The same forgiveness and blessings are ours if we ask for them.

 

Joe