Words of Encouragement

Did you know there is not a path that God will lead you to that he cannot keep you on.  This week meditate on the goodness of God and his care for his children.  Will you follow him completely?

Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you [a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." - Exodus 19:3-6

Promises of God

MONDAY
Moses went up on the mountain to speak with God. In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the desert of Sinai. The people were released from the bondage of slavery and had come to the mountain of God.


God spoke to Moses and gave him instructions to give to the children of Israel. He first tells Moses to remind them of what he did for them in Egypt. God had shown the Israelites his power and might when he brought them from Egypt. When Pharaoh had refused to let them go, God sent the ten plagues to show he was more powerful than the Egyptian gods. God showed the Israelites as well as the Egyptians that there was no god above the true God.

Thought for today - Have you thought today about what God has already brought you through?  If you have, how did that make you feel? 

prayer - Lord, help me to be reminded of that which you have already done for me so that I can be encouraged with the things I must face today.


TUESDAY
God states he bore them on eagle’s wings, and brought them unto himself. He is telling them of how his deliverance of his people was swift and how he protected them. When the plagues hit Egypt, the Israelites were spared. God first tells Moses to remind them of who he is and then tell them of what is expected of them.

God promised the Israelites if they obeyed him, he would set them above all other nations. They would be a treasure unto God. This is not because they are special for what they do, but because of what God will do to and through them. He is promising to be with them and make them a people for himself above all other nations.

Thought for today - When is the last time you thought of yourself as a treasure unto God?  Not because of something special you have done, but because of who God is?

Prayer - Lord today, help me to be reminded that I am treasured by you.  When I remember this, I will be able to see that you care for me and that no matter what I face, I am not alone.

WEDNESDAY
The message continues with God’s requirement for them to be a holy nation. God was preparing the people for his laws that he would give to Moses, which takes place in the next chapter. God was also warning the people to be set apart from other nations that were around them. God did not want the people to intermingle with the other nations and begin to pick up customs and behaviors, and move away from true worship.

“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods, to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him” (Acts 7:37-40).

God was offering much to the children of Israel, yet they continued to be disobedient. They complained and murmured about food and water. They complained about too much manna and no meat. The Israelites continued to be ungrateful to God’s mercies. God’s warning on the mountain was one given to protect his people from themselves. He knew the hearts of the people, so he gave a warning to them, to be holy, because he is holy.

Thought for today - Have you been ungrateful for the many things God has done for you?  Have you complained when you should have been thankful?  Have you murmured or whined when you didn't get what you want, instead of asking God why?

Prayer - Lord this day, help me to see your hand in my life and that both the good and the bad are used by you.  You use everything for my good, to shape me and mold me.  Help me to be grateful and not complain.


THURSDAY

This message that Moses was to give to the Israelites, is still a vital message for believers today. God has deliverance for people today. He has the deliverance from the bondage of sin that we are not able to release ourselves from. We needed God to send someone to release us from that bondage and that person was Jesus.

God gives us this warning also, to remember what he has delivered us from. God has made provisions for us, yet like the Israelites we can be ungrateful and become grumblers. God also warns us not to pick up the customs around us. God wants his people to be set apart, a peculiar people. He calls for holiness because he is holy. He does not want his people blending in other religions and making a mockery of our faith. The promise is, if we are obedient to God, he will care for his people.

Thought for Today - Have you picked up some bad habits lately?  Do you look different from those around you, are you set apart and peculiar?

Prayer - Lord you have saved me from many dangers, both seen and unseen.  You have called me to yourself to make me into a holy people because you are holy.  Help me today Lord to be faithful to you and your will for my life.


FRIDAY
God was a faithful God, to an unfaithful people. God showed love, to an ungrateful, unloving people. Yet, God continued to call his people back into a right relationship. God’s love is still evident today, even to the ungrateful and unloving. Why is God’s love still evident today? God’s love is still available today, because God is still seeking the lost to come to him and be his people.

Thought for Today - Have you acknowledged God's faithfulness today?  Have you thanked him for loving you regardless of your ability to follow or not?  As you go to worship this week, seek God's help in being his faithful servant.

The Week In Review

Celebration – Inspiration - Communion

Luke 19:37-38 – And when he was come nigh, even now at the (1) descent of the mount of Olives, the (2) whole multitude of the disciples began to (3) rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.


There were some interesting patterns within the Gospel of Luke. The first interesting structural pattern was the usage of the phrase “And it came to pass.”


This phrase was used 35 times starting in chapter 1:8 and the last time in chapter 24:51. This phrase is used when the movement or action transitions from one event to another, stating the completion of something. It is used in this chapter in verse 29 as this story of Jesus unfolds.


Luke also uses contrasting in his Gospel. One example is the speech by Mary (1:46-53).

From Low Esteem to blessed of All Nations (1:48)
How God will put down mighty to God exalt the low (52)
How God will fill the hungry with good to God making the rich empty (53)


Luke’s purpose for writing this Gospel is to present the evidence of Jesus and the fulfillment. He does that with his detail and themes throughout the writing of his Gospel. These verses follow that same pattern of the writer. We see some important points in these verses that correlate with Luke’s message of the fulfillment of God’s purpose through Jesus.

The first point is with his descent of the Mount of Olives. This dramatic visual shows Jesus coming down riding on the donkey to where the people stand waiting. All that are standing there see his approaching and Jesus coming to where they are. We can celebrate and take inspiration or encouragement because Jesus chose to come down to where you and I are. In the Old Testament, if you remember only Moses could go up the mountain to be in the presence of God. But now we have God, through Jesus coming down to be among the people. This picture shows us a glimpse of the love that God has for us. He shows his love by allowing Jesus to descend down to our lowly state to be our king. Jesus left his place in heaven and descended down to earth to be where we are, and in doing so, lifts us up to where God is. He comes down to be with us, because we were not capable of coming up to be with him. We cannot measure up to God’s standards. For God so loved us he sent his son…

Come back next week for the next installment.

The Week In Review

A woman that seeks – marks of a virtuous woman

Ask, and it shall be given, seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: - Matthew 7:7


A virtuous woman knows God will open to her what she is seeking. This woman is seeking God not only for her creature comforts, but also for direction on how to be a godly wife and mother. I can say assuredly that this woman was one that sought God for directions, and this is evident in her attitude of looking forward to the future. She was not afraid of what the future held. She was not afraid of the evil times she was in, because she was seeking God and he was answering her questions for guidance and direction.


We today can have a hopeful outlook for our lives because of whom we serve. The crime in our streets, the murders, the lack of self-control do not have to make us function in fear. We do not have to function from fear because God gives us this same promise that if we ask, seek, or knock, he will give, we will find and he will open. If you are asking for help, he will give you help. If you are seeking direction, you will find the way in him. If you are knocking on the doors of heaven in prayer for something, the windows of heaven will be opened and blessings will be poured out on you. That is why as believers we can have a hopeful outlook. We do not have to live our lives based on what our circumstances look like, because we know we serve a God that says he will give to us what we need.


So what makes a woman more precious than rubies and worthy of praise? What makes a woman a virtuous woman? It is her relationship with God through his son Christ Jesus. He gives to us his righteousness and equips us for the journey ahead of us. He gives us each task to fulfill and he does not send us out unprepared to fulfill them. He gives us his Spirit, which will guide us and teach us for completion of our assignments. So if we have not made this very crucial connection then anything we do will never be successful by God’s standards. So today, I ask anyone that has not accepted Christ as his or her savior to do so.


When you do, he will not only offer eternity with God to you, but he promises to give you his Spirit that will help you walk here on earth as one of the set aside, holy people of God. And maybe you have Christ in your life, but sometimes you don’t always feel like this virtuous woman. Maybe you are having difficulties letting go of your way and accepting God’s way. You need to come today to an altar of prayer and ask God to help you. He says come and seek him and you will find him. Seek him for the strength you need to fulfill the role he has for you as wife and mother. What better day than on a day set aside to honor mothers, than to come and offer yourself completely to God so that he can make you into the mother that is worthy of all praise, because you fear the Lord. I leave you with this poem, the composition of a godly woman.

Words of Encouragement

This large piece of art was an eye catcher on the wall at the hotel.  If you were on the first floor you saw it.  If you were on the second floor, you saw it.  It was not a small "sunburst" it was a large one and it covered a large part of the wall.  As I looked at this I thought about this important point.  You and I need to be like this large sunburst.  The "Son" burst that should be evident to others is us.  They should see us if they are on the first floor or even if they are on the second floor.  In otherwords, no matter what level they are on (up or down) individuals should see that we are a piece of work!

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.  Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. - Psalm 27:10-12

Who is Leading? The True Leader. We started this week looking at God as the true leader and we will end it on the same.  God is the only leader that if we follow, we can find peace in.  We will never find complete peace and security in our presidents, while it is good to go out and make your political voice be known.  We will not find security in our bosses when they promises things to us that they have no intention of keeping.

The true leader that we must follow is the one that will never leave us, even if those that you love do.  The true leader that is concerned about our safety from our enemy is God.  He does not leave us under the hand of the oppressor.  He does not leave us to face the false accusations (the accuser) alone.

God, the lover of our soul will lead us away from the traps of sin and to the paths that lead to living water.  He will lead as by the still waters so that we can find drink.  He doesn't make us come to the turbulent waters, but the calm ones so that we can drink.

Who do you want to follow?  Do you want to follow the one that will lead you from death to life?  The one that will lead you from the oppressor of your soul who wants you to carry all the sins you committed as well as every one committed against you?  Who do you want to follow?  The false leader that will talk you into going back into captivity, or the one that will show the foolishness of the accuser?

Today, let us pray that God would do something in us so that we will never want to be the same again.  Set us aflame today Lord so that we can follow you where ever you want to lead.

Words of Encouragement

This image was from the post in the Amway Hotel.  As I looked at it, I thought about how we allow unnatural things to lead us astray.  This image was attached to what looked like a box or carriage.  Do we get carried away with unsual things?  Do unusual things catch our attention and then we find ourselves latched on and unable to get away?  That is what happens when we do not keep our focus on God.

                                                                                                                          

Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent [a] and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?" - Numbers 16:1-3

Who is Leading? Rebellious Leaders. There were those that were angry at Moses and wanted to remove his leadership from over the people of Israel.  If you notice, it normally only takes one person to stir up a bunch of stuff.  So with this rise up there were 250 men that were leaders of the community that were talking against Moses and Aaron.  They wanted to know why should they follow them when everyone is holy so they should not be set up above them.

Let us really look at the message in this scripture.  The ones that were in a position to lead, did not want to follow.  If you cannot follow how can you be a good leader?  The leaders did not think it fair that someone else should be above them.  It wasn't so much Moses and Aaron, it was God they were really angry with.  See it was not Moses or Aaron that appointed themselves, it was God.  They were angry with the way God wanted to lead. 

When God has called us to be submissive and learn how to lead, but we refuse to humble ourselves because we seek to be holy in ourselves and by ourselves, then we make a mess of things. 

Lord, help us to humble ourselves under your leadership so that we can learn to become what you have called us to be.  We do not want to be rebellious under your leadership and then lead others astray.  We do not want the blood of others on our hands because we have lead them away from your way and your will.

Words of Encouragement

As I looked at this picture, it stood out from amongst the other trees because of its beautiful, vibrant color.  It's red was easily identified.  When I thought about this tree, I thought about us.  We should be like this red tree.  The covering of the red blood of Christ should be evident in each of the believers.  It should show us as beautiful and vibrant. 

and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." - Numbers 14:7-9

Who is Leading? God, if We Obey. The children of God receive a message about the leadership of God.  They are told that if they please God he will lead them to a land of plenty and from that land he will supply to them.  However what will stop that flow of plenty is rebellion from the will of God.

If the people want to be able to obtain the benefits of God they must obey the one that can lead them to the land of plenty.  God is the provider and it is only through him that we can obtain the provisions that we need.  If we want that storehouse to be opened to us, we must humble ourselves under the leadership of an awesome God.

Lord, today we ask you to lead us.  Lead us so that we can obey you, your way.  Help us to be your people and when we do we can have access to your provisions.

Words of Encouragement

If you are trying to reach a destination, would you take the road backwards, away from that destination?  No, well why then do we want to go back into conditions that we have been delivered from.

Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. - Numbers 14:3-5

Who is Leading? The Wrong Leader. The people of God became complainers and because of it, they wanted to give up on Moses' leadership.  However, it was not Moses they were really giving up on, they were giving up on God.  So in their complaining, they thought it might be better to go back into Egypt.  They thought to themselves, let us gather a new leader that will take us back to Egypt.

Do you know why Moses and Aaron feel facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly?  It was because of the foolishness of the people.  What they were saying in essence is this, "We will gather a leader that will take us back to the place of captivity, the place where we had been released from.  We will gather to ourselves a leader that will take us back."

They forgot about their complaints and how those complaints had been answered by God and how they had been released from captivity.  Now they wanted to go back.  Well, there is one that is ready and waiting to lead you back into slavery.  Slavery to sin, to lust, to disobedience and bondage.  When you complain and grumble about how God leads you, there is one that quickly waits to lead you back from whince you came.  That leader is the devil. He will gladly help you make your way back into captivity and further away from what God has promised for you.

Lord, help us today not to become foolish and look backwards and follow wrongly back into captivitiy.  Help us to move after you and away from that which will destroy.