Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › Posts tagged moses

moses

Strength out of Weakness

Posted on by

2 Corinthians 12:10

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Sometimes we find it hard to be strong in what we face because we cannot see the strength that we truly carry inside of us. God wants us all to know and understand that we are walking with more than just our own strength, more than just our own thoughts, and more than just what we see on earth.

  1. Gideon had a weakness in not believing in himself, but God saw a mighty man of valor

Judges 6:11-16

11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

  1. Moses had a weakness in not trusting the confidence of himself in following God’s command but God was stern in reminding Moses that

Exodus 4:8-12

8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

3) Elijah had a weakness in being afraid of the enemy and feeling alone in the battle that was ahead. Yet God revealed to him that there were others that were still standing. What an assurance to know we don’t stand alone.

1 Kings 19:13-18

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.

18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

4) Even though Samson was lured into giving away the secret to his physical strength his biggest weakness was not realizing where his strength came from. Once he asked God for strength it gave him the ability to finally use it for God’s glory.

Judges 16:26-30

26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.

27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were upon the roof about three thousand men and women, that beheld while Samson made sport.

28 And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.

30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

Even when we cannot see our strengths God’s grace is there to help us become stronger than we have ever been before.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Change The Bitter Waters

Posted on by

 

Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Exodus 15:22-24

[22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
[23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
[24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

We begin with a company of singing former slaves:

  • They had been set free
  • Their enemies have perished at the red sea
  • They had a reason to be singing

Onward they go to Canaan

  • Moses leads his people into the wilderness
  • Our lord knows the way through the wilderness
  • There are great lessons to learn in the wilderness

Three days into the wilderness and out of water

  • The containers they filled up at Egypt are gone

There was water at Marah, but it was bitter

This disappointed Israel, for they expected everything to go well

We all have trials on the journey – John 16:33 – [33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The people murmured against moses

  • Bitter experiences should not make us bitter
  • Bitter people cannot bless others
  • Saul was bitter towards david
  • The prodigals brother was bitter about his return

James 3:14-16

[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Hebrews 12:12-15

[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

So what do we do now?

  • Moses cried to the lord
  • Pray when others criticize you
  • Moses didn’t know what to do, so he prayed
  • God promises wisdom for those who ask

James 1:5

[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Exodus 15:25-27

[25] And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
[26] And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
[27] And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The tree made the waters sweet

  • The tree had been there all the time
  • The tree speaks of the tree of Calvary
  • Remember the cross when you face the bitter experiences
  • The cross will sweeten the bitter times in your life

God Knows The Breaking Point

Posted on by

 

Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Deuteronomy 33:24-29

[24] And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
[25] Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
[26] There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
[27] The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
[28] Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
[29] Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

The Children of Israel through the leadership of God and obedience of Moses were delivered by blood through the Passover and were led safely through the Red Sea. Now we find the last words of Moses to his people, giving Asher assurance for all of his days.

God knows all of our days. We will have difficult days ahead with toils, trials, temptations and tears. God knows the future from the foundation of the world. God knows the limits of our strength, for God must know this so we can be equipped each day. God knows our breaking point. He knows the day s when we feel at the end of ourselves. Best of all, God cares!

You see, God compensates for our weakness with His strength. He shall strengthen our hearts and renew our strength. His strength (grace) will be sufficient for all of the things we face.

Count Your Blessings

Posted on by
Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Do you know that you are blessed?

The first part that we usually long after and want to see in the beginning is for the blessing to help us in the purpose that will eliminate harm or enhance life. Yet while we are so consumed in the miracles benefits we often miss the other purposes that are only realized after the fact.

Exodus 14:19-31

[19] And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
[20] And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
[22] And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
[23] And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
[24] And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
[25] And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
[26] And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
[27] And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
[28] And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
[29] But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
[30] Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
[31] And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

19 – The lifting of the pillar of cloud from their face represents that temporary moment where we as flesh see our own vulnerabilities prior to the blessing.
20 – The angel came between the   camps, representing how God goes out before us in our battles. The cloud came as darkness for one and light for the other. If you are following the will of God for your life than what is blessing you begins to open up a pathway and puts fear into the enemy.

21- Moses’s hand going out represents what God seeks from us as humans; a willingness to serve by faith and to be what seemingly goes against our sight.

22 – The emphasis of dry ground demonstrates the cleanliness of how the spirit cleanses our soul by salvation and sanctification; the waters as a wall are how the Holy Ghost preserves our salvation to walk in righteousness (dry ground). This also demonstrates Gods love and compassion for the feet that He knew would be weary to walk in moistened ground.

23 – Represents the attempted intimidation and pursuit of the enemy towards us.

24 – God’s host begins to demonstrate his power over the enemy.

25 – God dismantled their mobility so they could not only cease their pursuit of us but not able to retreat for another attack.

26 – The hand over the sea now is a demonstration of God’s authority and power that destroys the enemy as we obey.

27 – The sea returning to its strength shows that if we abide in the perfect obedience of the spirit the Holy Ghost within us goes from a protector to being empowered from within.

28 – We then see the totality of the destruction of the enemy; this also opens up the full completeness of salvation, totally saved, no not one enemy survived.

29 – Speaks to their survival and the truth and proof that God had prevailed.

30 – Seeing them dead shows us today that he who the son sets free is free indeed, not to be attacked with these same specific circumstances again.

31 – The miracle then became a testimony, thus giving something as we move on to the next wilderness that we will have something that we will look back on that will remind us that we have all the attributes that we need to overcome over and over again.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Matthew 2:7-12

[7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
[8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
[9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
[11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
[12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Many would have you pass through this passage, but let us take a closer look at the significance of the visit of the wise men. Isn’t it amazing how wonderful the feeling is when God provides the light, the star, the word of God to provide the direction to be closer with Christ, it should cause us to rejoice.

1) The gift of gold was given to symbolize that He was God in the flesh. Sometimes people refuse to see the value and worth of the gold, and accept fool’s gold (or their own ideals instead).
It is given first to represent obtaining salvation.

Job 23:10

[10] But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

2) The frankincense was given to Jesus as a symbol of His holiness.Frankincense was the resin from a tree. It was obtained by cutting the bark of the tree and letting it harden, followed by it being ground to powder.

Exodus 30:34-36

[34] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
[35] And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
[36] And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.

It was placed on the altar of incense to be a sweet odor to the Lord. It was given after the gold because holiness before salvation would attempt to be used for self-righteousness. Holiness destroys the unsaved, like wood or hay, but it begins to purify gold!

3) Myrrh is different, as it represents suffering, trials, tribulations:

Hebrews 5:8

[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Jesus never escaped the myrrh throughout His entire life. As Jesus received these gifts, we too also receive the gift of gold (salvation), frankincense (holiness), and myrrh (suffering) from our wise and almighty creator. Suffering is not to destroy us, but to teach us obedience.

2 Timothy 3:12

[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Why is myrrh the only gift mentioned at the end of Jesus life? Gold (salvation) is a one-time gift, Once it is given it cannot be revoked

Romans 11:29

[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Frankincense (holiness) is something you clothe yourself with. You clothe yourself with Christ and become separate from what the world wears.

1 Peter 5:10

[10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

There Is A Land

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Numbers 13:17-33

[17] And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
[18] And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many;
[19] And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
[20] And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
[21] So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
[22] And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
[23] And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
[24] The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence.
[25] And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
[26] And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
[27] And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
[28] Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.
[29] The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
[30] And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
[31] But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
[32] And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
[33] And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

The people had put more faith and trust more in the judgment of man than they had in the word of God. It was as good as God spoke but yet they doubted His word as well as themselves. Consider that even though God’s eternal promise gave it to them. Caleb spoke and encouraged that they ‘posses’ the land. Notice the lack of saying conquer; for Caleb had come to that realization of what God had already done before they ever made their attempt to make it to that land. All things are promised to him that believes, but carnal sense and carnal nature are not to be trusted. Unbelief overlooks the power of God and magnifies every danger. It also attempts to cause difficulty in normal things and fills the heart with discouragement.

John 6:32-41

[32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
[33] For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
[36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
[39] And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
[40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[41] The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

You may be outnumbered in unbelief and may feel as an outcast, but if you sincerely believe you will never thirst and have eternal life! Have the boldness to speak the good things that you know about the promises of God. Have the zeal to take action when others would doubt themselves and God.

Being Hungry For God

Posted on by

Exodus 33:12-23

[12] And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
[13] Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
[14] And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
[15] And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
[16] For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
[17] And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
[18] And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
[19] And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
[20] And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
[21] And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
[22] And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
[23] And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

As Moses had found grace in the sight of God, his words resounded with a hunger for more of God. This is something that I am personally longing for now more than ever, and am encouraging you to have it in your heart as well. Strive to have a hunger for the presence of God. Do not let God be just another thing or even close to comparison to anything else; for when we let our walk with God get in this state, truly it is hard to endure life without His strength. You see, Moses became and was hungry for God’s glory. Some have come to church just to come to know a feeling or to fill the void of the age old curiosity to know of a spiritual presence to exist. As we strive, let us ask God to be glorified in each and every part of our lives when it is possible. If you can get a word in edgewise to glorify God about a success, then I say it’s Gods! If can have a spiritual moment no matter where it is and draw others to Christ, I say lead on! Let people see and know what God is all about!

As you continue to read on, Moses was seeking a brand new vision. He wanted to be led only by God and none other. In fact, he did not want to go anywhere lest God was his guide. What an attitude to have for a spiritual leader and how that will greatly affect their vision in such a wonderful way! God will be with you! Even though sometimes the plan is so great that we cannot comprehend the fullness thereof, just remember that the cleft of the rock is such a safe place to be.

Evaluating Our Hindrances

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Exodus 14:8-9

[8] And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
[9] But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon.

Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel is a very good representation of how evil forces in our lives pursue us today.

Luke 22:31

[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Jesus even was saying to Peter during His life on earth that Satan desired to have them. The word “have” is a very strong word when it comes to the ownership of your life or soul.

Exodus 14:21-22

[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
[22] And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

The opening of the Red Sea when compared to today is a good comparison to the hindrances in our life being removed.

Luke 23:34

[34] And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

The way was completely made when Jesus made the sacrifice for us; it was made for our deliverance. How powerful were the words “Father, forgive them”? It immediately remitted our sins and provided the way we know today!

Exodus 14:19-20

[19] And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
[20] And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Reading about the pillar of cloud and fire reminds me of the divine presence of God that is with us now!

Acts 2:17-21

[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

His presence is still with us! So what do we begin to do about our hindrances? How different are we than these we read of here?

Exodus 12:38

[38] And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

The mixed multitudes demonstrated then what we would know as the worldly element that is present in a church without the leadership of God in it.

Exodus 16:3

[3] And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

The flesh pots get right down to where we are with our sensual pleasures of life. Dependency on sin can be a direct hindrance, whether we choose to acknowledge that or not. So what do we have to overcome our hindrances?

Exodus 16:4

[4] Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

The manna here for them is our representation of Jesus Christ to us today; for He is the bread of life to us as He is in us each and every day.

Exodus 17:6

[6] Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

The water from the rock was refreshing then, but how much more is the refreshment of knowing that we still have access to the living water through Christ!

1 Corinthians 10:4

[4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

When reading that they drank of the Rock, the Rock here to me is what we base our faith and beliefs upon; that Jesus came and died so that we could have life and it more abundantly!

Learning To Beat The Scoffers

Posted on by

Luke 16:19-31

[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

The Pharisees did not believe in grace. They were upset that Jesus received sinners and ate with them. They could agree with Jesus on rejoicing for finding something that was lost, like the sheep or coin, but not to a sinner coming to repentance. In part of the response to the mocking and scoffing towards him, Jesus addressed the one thing that mattered most to them at that time: their wealth and outward riches.

What part of this is of worth to us today? Let’s read on.

Matthew 8:11-13

[11] And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
[12] But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[13] And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

When we read up above about how that Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom, it speaks to me about how there was a separation when it came to where the riches of the heart were. When a person has their riches in this earth and not in God, there is only but one destination in the end. It is inevitable, and cannot be changed but only through salvation by Jesus Christ. Lazarus didn’t have riches and was a beggar in this illustration, and as you read it begins to show that when we come to God we cannot bring all of the riches and things of worth (sin) in our hearts. Those things must be confessed and forgiven as we start a new life as a forgiven individual, saved by the blood of Jesus!

I remember how I came with so many problems in my life, and to the view of many there was no hope for me. I probably would have been looked on with all of the things that I had done and never had any hope. However, when I came to God seeking for forgiveness for the things in my life, all things were my new by the forgiveness of my sins. I am not as what I was before, and I too will be in Heaven! As I live today, I have to remind myself that I cannot change what is behind me, but I am forgiven for it. I have to demonstrate by what God has done through the way I live for Him (as He helps us) that we are new creatures! And trust me, when you truly surrender all of the things that hold you captive, you won’t feel the bondage anymore!

I went down a beggar, but I came up forgiven and free! You don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore; simply live your life for God and let Him fight the battles that you cannot control!