The Journey Considered

January 31, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 13-14 / Matthew 19:16-30

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    I have embraced the GPS technology of today. I remember well using road maps, finding the best route, planning my trips, and leaving. Only to find out, there was a better, new road built since the map was printed. Or, that there was a huge roadblock delaying the trip by an hour or so that I could have easily avoided by taking a little different route. However, even the best GPS System, does not take my temperament into account. Whether I am easily frustrated by just a little delay or, I am easy going even if I must sit for what may seem an eternity. Sometimes a longer route will help calm the shorter fuse.

    The children of Israel were finally leaving Egypt. God is delivering on His promise to take them to the promise land. He did not however tell them that he was taking them on the shortest route. This GPS (God’s Planning System) cared more about the heart of the people, than the length of their journey. God knew they were not ready to face resistance from the Philistines, which they would have encountered on the shortest trip. Instead, He chose to show them that He would defend them and be their guide on their travels. This journey let them see the Power of God over nature at the Red Sea. The Protection of God against Pharaoh and his men. The Provisions from God when there was no other help. God had considered their heart and their Journey way before they ever left Egypt.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Sometimes we get in a hurry in this journey of life. We often wonder why God will not just fix something, heal someone, provide instantly when it would sure make our life easier. Remember, God looks on our heart and knows what we really need.

What has God considered on your journey?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”
Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

 

  The Judgement Comes

January 30, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 10-12 / Matthew 19:1-15

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    “When your father gets home and finds out about what you have done, there will be a price to pay young man.” These were the words my mother would share with me while she was disciplining me for something I had done wrong. Yup, you read that right. My mom would correct me in her own way, and then I was promised yet another round when my dad came home. I knew exactly what that meant. Judgement will come, and it did. Did I deserve it? Sure I did. I had done something that I was not supposed to. There was always a price to pay for disobeying. ALWAYS!

    So it was in our text today. After several refusals by Pharaoh to allow God’s people to go, God was bringing His final judgment that would change history forever. It changed the lives of the children of Israel giving them an annual observance called the Passover as a reminder of God’s judgement and deliverance. It changed the lives of the Egyptians who refused to obey God because God was faithful to His Word and took the lives of the firstborn of every household including their animals. Everyone was told of the pending judgement including the Egyptians. They could plainly see what the Children of Israel were doing. The blood sprinkled on the doorposts was a sign that the punishment had been carried out on the innocent lamb, therefore God would pass by. However, for those who saw this as foolish, well, there is always a price to pay when the Father comes home. 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    What a picture of the sin of man being taken away by the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus. Still today, when God see’s the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on the doorpost of our heart, He knows the Lamb has paid the price for our soul.

Has the blood been applied in your life?

 

 A Treasure Redeemed

January 27, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 4-6 / Matthew 17

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    Pawn Shops use to be found only in huge metropolitan areas. Today however, we find them popping up everywhere. Even small rural villages. The basic idea behind a Pawn Shop is that if you bring something in of value, they will give you cash and a Pawn Ticket for that item. If you then return within a predetermined time with your Pawn Ticket proving previous ownership, you can redeem your item for a fee. Normally a pretty hefty fee at that. Pawn Shops love it when you bring in something of value. It assures them that you will return to redeem it, or that they can resell it to someone else to recoup their investment.

     Moses is told in Exodus 6 that God intends to redeem Israel. It shows what a treasure these people are to God. First, we know that God has made many eternal promises based on the Hebrew children. Also, God remembers His covenant with their forefathers. Simply put, He loves these people who had been a free people, but now find themselves enslaved to Egypt. They are a treasure that God Promises to Redeem.

    We too are a treasure to God. A treasure He created to be free, but now find ourselves enslaved to sin. God holds the ticket that says we are originally His. He has also said He will redeem us, although the price for redemption is very High. It cost Him the death of His only Son, Jesus. The price of redemption has been paid. Claim it. 

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  We are told in 1 Peter 1:18-19 “…ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish…”

Can you sense what a Valuable Treasure you are to God?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”
Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

 

  A Triumph Revealed

January 26, 2023
Daily Reading – Exodus 1-3 / Matthew 16

GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 3:19-20 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    Growing up as a little boy in a residential area of Michigan and attending a public school there, I had my share of run-ins with the other boys. At the time I was a spindly, tall, lanky lad with very little co-ordination. I guess that is another way of saying, I did not know how to fight. However, I never went into a battle with the other boys planning to get beat up. It just seemed to happen that way more often than not. Every so often, I would run up on someone who was a worse scrapper than I was, and I would win the altercation. Truth was, I never knew going into the fight, if I was going to win or lose.

  Moses is told in our verses today that he is about to do battle with Pharaoh. He is even told that initially it will appear as if he is losing the conflict. Moses is not really a fighter. He even tries to talk God out of using him. You might think that he was good at fighting because in every instance recorded in the first three chapters of Exodus, Moses wins his fights. He had won the fight with the Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew man in Exodus 2:12. He overtook the Shepherds who were bothering Jethro’s daughters while they watered the flocks in Exodus 2:17. Still, he did not feel like a warrior. Then God tells Moses, you will win in this fight because; “I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders.” In other words, Moses, It may seem rough at times, but this is a fight you just cannot lose.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  As we go through life it may seem the old Devil is winning. Yet God revealed a triumph in this fight as well. 1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Will you trust Him?

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”
Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12