Joy in the tough times…

 Joy in the tough times…

I appreciated this short article on Biblical Joy this morning after a rather sleepless, painful night…

There are over 200 references to joy from the Scriptures…

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/reminders-to-help-you-rediscover-biblical-joy-in-tough-times.html?aps=d491a43856e21b587867b447453a930de9780b237aec2d5b87b5802fcc4d8c3d&utm_content=1129189_20241120_267&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lst_bst_daily_bible_living&utm_source=newsletter&bt_ee=xBfBKZnIb2HaypdPxLD8B94voT%2BzYYQvgGXEdlgabyef%2B6Mf4lwnS4Ty1Soirt%2FV&bt_ts=1732100793677

 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Ps.95.1-2

 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment,and his favor is for a lifetime.Weeping may tarry for the night,but joy comes with the morning.

Ps.30.4-5

 Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary;praise him in his mighty heavens! 

Praise him for his mighty deeds;praise him according to his excellent greatness! 

Praise him with trumpet sound;praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance;praise him with strings and pipe! 

Praise him with sounding cymbals;praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal.5.22-24

Thank YOU….

You make everything beautiful…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTSpGn9-N5Q

 

Comfort verses…13

 

Comfort verses…13

I am still accumulating comfort verses….they are still a comfort…and will continue to be …no particular order…personally, I still have blood tests every 6 weeks to watch for cancer numbers…so anxiousness hits and I have to lay it down again and again…what a journey…

Thank YOU…..

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me (Psalm 42:4 NKJV).

 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

Dan.3.24-25

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning (Psalm 130:5-6a NIV).

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised (Job 1:21b NIV).

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer (Psalm 6:9 NIV).

For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV).

Now when he was in affliction, he sought the face of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him. And the Lord received his entreaty, heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his Kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 OSB).

So we do not give up. Our body gets weak, but our heart gets new strength day after day (2 Corinthians 4:16 WE). 

Hard fought hallelujah…

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lN83y32oTjA&pp=ygUjaGFyZCBmb3VnaHQgaGFsbGVsdWphaCBicmFuZG9uIGxha2U%3D

Firstborn…

 Firstborn….

A long time ago, when my oldest was just learning to reach and grab…he was sitting on my husband’s lap during church…my husband had his Bible opened to Luke 2. Our son grabbed a page a ripped it with his tiny little hand…it was the portion Luke 2:23 about firstborn….how appropriate…we carefully pried his little fingers off the paper, and later taped the page back together…

But, we kept that in our hearts…our firstborn “acknowledging “ his place in our family…

Actually, we have three firstborns in our family of four children…because of adoptions…and I have always thought of them as being consecrated to the Lord…as well as our second born…all were dedicated to Him at early ages…all were and are amazing gifts and additions to our family ….so grateful for their lives…

 The Lord said to Moses, “Consecrate to me all the firstborn. Whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, both of man and of beast, is mine.” 

you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb.….Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.

Exod.13.1-2, Exod.13.12a,Exod.13.13b

 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)

Luke.2.23

I pulled the following from “got questions”….

“The New Testament describes Christ as the “firstborn” several times. In an earthly sense, Jesus is Mary’s firstborn son (Luke 2:7), and He was dedicated according to the law (Luke 2:22–24). Spiritually, Jesus is the “firstborn among many brothers and sisters” in the body of Christ (Romans 8:29). In Colossians 1:15, the apostle Paul writes, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” This use of the title firstborn for Christ echoes the wording of Psalm 89:27–29, where God says of King David, “And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure.”

https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-in-the-Bible.html

We have earthly firstborns, but we serve and are saved by a “Firstborn”….by his blood we are saved….

 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…

Rev.1.5

Thank YOU….

By his blood…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSq30RznGY

Thanksgiving medley….

 Thanksgiving medley…

This  article showed up this morning with the following Bible verses…

I have read them over the years, each time rejoicing in their words…but this year they took on new meaning again…

Being ill and recovering is cause to give thanks, even through the pain…being ill and not recovering is cause to give thanks as well…(in all things give thanks, Philippians), just a bit harder…

I tear up as I read them because He chose for me to recover this time… and I am so thankful…

Thank YOU…

 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;make known his deeds among the peoples! 

Sing to him, sing praises to him;tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name;let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 

Seek the Lord and his strength;seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done,his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

1Chr.16:8-12

 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Ps.7.17

 The Lord is my strength and my shield;in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults,and with my song I give thanks to him.

Ps.28.7

 I will praise the name of God with a song;I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ps.69.30

 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!     

Serve the Lord with gladness!Come into his presence with singing! 

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,and his courts with praise!Give thanks to him; bless his name! 

For the Lord is good;his steadfast love endures forever,and his faithfulness to all generations.

Ps.100.1-5

 Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So, Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever!

Ps.107:1

 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Col.3.15-17

Thanksgiving Medley….this was an apropos group of songs, recorded in 2020…the year we “lost” to Covid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v4UQc4z0LA

https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/thanksgiving-prayers-give-thanks.html?aps=d491a43856e21b587867b447453a930de9780b237aec2d5b87b5802fcc4d8c3d&utm_content=1129189_20241117_264&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=lst_bst_daily_bible_living&utm_source=newsletter&bt_ee=218FPAKGH9ma7CnpIuHeRwYJ5El%2B1w%2B2Hvhf8Tfcavj8cE6WQ7BFXO86d6ldiRA%2B&bt_ts=1731841598062

Enriched…

 Watered….

I know summer has passed…but this verse reminded me of these pictures I took….while watering them, they grew, and blessed me with their beauty, intricate design…

As we give, bring blessings, “water” in others lives, we are refreshed, blessed, enriched ourselves….so fitting for this thanksgiving and Christmas season…and year around…

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,and one who waters will himself be watered.

Prov.11.25

Thank YOU…

I am the LORD…

 I am the LORD…

I thought it was interesting in Exodus, how God refers to himself…through the events that no human can duplicate….and even the magicians were finally acknowledging…

First…  Thus says the Lord, “By this you shall know that I am the Lord: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood.

Exod.7.17

Second…  And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.

Exod.8.10

Third…  Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Exod.8.19

Fourth…  But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.

Exod.8.22

Fifth…  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.

Exod.9.1

Seventh…  For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exod.9.14-16

Eighth..  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Exod.10.1-2

 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 

And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. 

For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.

Exod.12.12,Exod.13.9

Jesus did signs and miracles when he walked here on earth that were not duplicated as well…and people demanded that he do more…although that was not his primary purpose of living as a man…he came to save…the biggest miracle of all…

Pharaoh hardened his heart over and over even seeing the miracles/plagues…people hardened their hearts toward Jesus as well…

It behooves us to recognize that the LORD is God, no matter what century we are living in. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…

The Israelites were freed from the slavery in Egypt by God, they couldn’t do it on their own……we can be freed from the slavery of sin…only through Christ…we can’t be saved on our own as well, good works or anything…

“  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rom.6.16-20,Rom.6.22-23

Thank YOU…

Saved, saved,..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6TW78_1rBM

Lightens my darkness….

 Lightens my darkness…

These verses just hit me, needed to let them sink into my soul…

Thank YOU….

 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 

The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

Exod.13.21-22

 For it is you who light my lamp;the Lord my God lightens my darkness.

Ps.18.28

 Daniel answered and said:“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,to whom belong wisdom and might. 

He changes times and seasons;he removes kings and sets up kings;he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 

he reveals deep and hidden things;he knows what is in the darkness,and the light dwells with him.

Dan.2.20-22

 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John.8.12,John.9.5

 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. 

The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”….

John.12.35,John.12.36a

 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts.26.15-18

 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. 

So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Rom.13.11-14

 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1John.1.5,7

 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

Rev.21.22-24

Here I am to worship….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfJSOpCDgUw

Be ready…

 Be ready…

Life changes with one cancer diagnosis, one doctor visit, one car crash, one heart attack, one hit and run, one bullet, one visit to the ER, etc., etc….we don’t know what tomorrow holds or even today or the next moment…only God holds that information…this has become more of a reality this year for me personally…it really became that as well when my husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2011…our lives changed in an instant…

I don’t want this to be just hard changes….life changes at a wedding, at the birth of a child, family, new friendships, etc. as well…

 We still need to be ready…

I have been pondering this concept for a time…anticipation of Christ’s return…heaven, changes in the world, what comes next…we love our daily lives, day to day…do we have a heart for His return or our home going?  Am I ready?

One of my favorite verses, 1 Corinthians 2:9…says, God has prepared something we can’t imagine…and then continues…it was my salvation assurance verse years ago…but, it talks to so much more over the years…He has prepared so, so very much….

“ But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,nor the heart of man imagined,what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. 

For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-13

Thank YOU….

Our pastor spoke of this on Sunday …so good…confirming…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0oUzOhP3M4

 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

Mark.13.23

 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. 

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Rom.13.11-14

 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Eph.6.18

 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1Pet.1.13

 The end of all things is near. 

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Be sober-minded; be watchful. 

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1Pet.4.7,1Pet.5.8

 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Rev.3.3

Yet not I but through Christ in me…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PAxx84XnKg

Why the door posts….

 Why the door posts???

 

I always thought it was interesting about the Passover lamb , the door posts…

If you look it up, there are a multitude of commentaries both Jewish and Christian…

One comment that caught me was that blood was not spread on the thresholds lest it was trampled underfoot… the blood was/is valuable, not something to be taken lightly…

Jesus is our deliverer….

 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. 

This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 

It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Rom.3.25-26

 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.

Heb.9.11-12

 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. 

Even so. 

Amen. 

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Rev.1.4-8

Thank YOU….

Nothing but the blood….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYgmMwAxBS8

https://www.nothingwavering.org/2014/04/23/49705-why-lambs-blood-on-the-doorposts-passover-symbolism.html

https://biblecentral.info/library/chapter/striking-blood-on-the-doorposts-the-passover-anticipates-jesus-christ/

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/exodus/12-7.htm

Healing lane…

 Healing lane….

 I live on a small paved lane with three other family houses…so the lane is four small houses long…I have started calling it my “healing lane”… two years ago I walked all over my area, wrote blogs about “gardens along the way” in 2020 as the exercise places were closed, I walked and saw and appreciated so much outside my little lane.

Last year and this year, with hip surgery, cancer treatments and colon surgery, I have stayed closer to home and walked my “healing lane” back and forth, counting the laps…first using a walker, then a cane, gradually working to walking sticks and finally without extra help. Sometimes my neighbors would walk with me a bit, but mostly my little dog and I trekked back and forth…

I am so thankful for this little lane, it has has afforded me walking space, something I hadn’t planned on when I built here…but God knew…and he supplied before I knew it…he gave me neighbors whom I have become more friends with because of it and well as thinking, praying time and a safe place…

When the time is right, and I have more strength, Lord willing, I will walk beyond this healing lane to other spaces…

I know it seems like a little thing, but there are so many little things that God supplies us with that we take little note of.  He cares…

 ….for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matt.6.8b

 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Phil.4.19-20

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Jas.1.2-4

 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Though you have not seen him, you love him. 

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1Pet.1.6-9

Thank YOU…

My God shall supply all your needs…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5S6ymDgCxs

Plagues…

 Plagues….

 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

Exod.20.2-3

Chapters 7-12 give us a description of the plagues that God brought against the Pharaoh and his people which ultimately brought about the freedom of the Israelites from their slavery…

God had repeatedly called himself, “I am the LORD, God Almighty, I will be your God, I am the LORD your God”, when speaking to Moses. Making it clear that He was the LORD…and no other gods were as He.

I’m thought about this through our elections and through the final tallies…the response of people on both sides…no candidate is the ultimate savior from all the ills of the society or has all the answers to make everyone happy….

God is still the LORD, even today…he raises up and takes down whom  he will and His purposes still stand…just as he did in Mose’s time…

Each of the plagues had a particular reason and outcome…

1. Water turned to blood…too show that God was more powerful than the Egyptians’ god of the Nile…

2. Frogs…against the frog-headed goddess of birth..

3. Gnats…against Set, god of the desert…

4. Flies…judgment on the fly god…

5. Death of livestock…judgement on the goddess and god which looked like cattle..

6. Boils…against their gods of health and disease….

7. Hail… against their sky goddess…

8. Locust…no harvest…

9. Darkness…judgment of their sun god, Re, who was symbolized by Pharaoh…

10. Death of first born males…judgement of Isis, the protector of children.

And these judgements were on the Egyptians and not the Israelites…so when it was dark in Egypt, is was light for the Israelites and so on…

We still have to put our trust in the right God…His paths, His decisions, His power, His love…man’s gods have no power over Him…

So, important as the elections have been, the winners are still accountable to God whomever they may be, and whether they believe or not…

God is the LORD Almighty no matter what…

Thank YOU….

Pharaoh, let my people go…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12R6y-xjjZw

Current song for hostages to be set free in Israel…Isaiah 41 set to music…

Isaiah 41..setting captives free…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7I77RcmHfA

https://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html

 

This seemed worthy of sharing….

I know there are other organizations who have and are helping out as well…

In times of turmoil, it is refreshing to see the love and care that is also going on…comforting to know ….

Thank YOU….

 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1Thess.5.14

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/franklin-graham/november24/?utm_source=FY24FGNewsletterNovemberEmail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=m_YFGN-24EB&utm_content=button

No straw…

 No straw….

 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 

They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” 

Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”

Exod.5.10,Exod.5.11,Exod.5.20,Exod.5.21,Exod.5.22,Exod.5.23

Years ago, in some Sunday school class, or sermon, there was an illustration of a circle…the concept was that we are convicted/encouraged to do something by the Holy Spirit, we do it or we don’t - the test-  obedience in some area of our lives…some change we should make….I can say that I wasn’t always immediately obedient…but it laid on my heart until I finally followed through…

Back to the circle…conviction, test, obedience or not, and round in round the learning process would go…there were outside forces that could make it harder and harder to follow through…

God was going to deliver these people from their oppressors…but there were some other lessons to be had first…some hard…and the blame game starts…no straw…more hard work, more oppression…and no delivery!

Don’t we still want things to be easy? With no hard lessons?

Reading Colossians 1….this is the goal…but, even Paul acknowledged endurance and patience…through the “no straw” times….

 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking …

*that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 

*so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, 

*fully pleasing to him: 

*bearing fruit in every good work and 

*increasing in the knowledge of God; 

*being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, 

*for all endurance and patience with joy;

Col.1.9-11

Thank YOU….

God help me….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_pgGgHVxPg

Speaking….

 Speaking….

 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Exod.4.12

 I am not an “upfront” speaker at all…one on one, thinking through my words is my best way to talk to people…so reading about poor Moses and his excuses resonates…he had already run away from this nation and lived in the desert as a shepherd, talking to the sheep…that was his style…plus he probably knew this man he was being sent to …and his people  didn’t trust him…

But God….had other plans…He wanted him to speak and would give him the words to speak…then He gave him his brother to speak…

This passage is such a reminder of the New Testament words as well…the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when called to speak in places we may be afraid…and there are definitely times when He is the only one speaking…He has the truth…it is just as applicable today as it was thousands of years ago…

How often do I speak, not letting the Holy Spirit have free rein to the words I say? How often do I hold back with excuses to not speak when the Holy Spirit yearns to speak?

 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Matt.10.16-20

 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Luke.12.11-12

Thank YOU….

 I am the Lord your God,who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 

“But my people did not listen to my voice;Israel would not submit to me. 

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me,that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. 

Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him,and their fate would last forever. 

But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat,and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Ps.81.10-16

 For the Lord gives wisdom;from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. 

Then you will understand righteousness and justiceand equity, every good path; 

for wisdom will come into your heart,and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 

discretion will watch over you,understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil,from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked,and who are devious in their ways.

Prov.2.6-15

 Hear, for I will speak noble things,and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth;wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 

All the words of my mouth are righteous;there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 

They are all straight to him who understands,and right to those who find knowledge. 

Take my instruction instead of silver,and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels,and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Prov.8.6-11

 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart-be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Ps.19.14

Let the words of my mouth…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr8QoQKmXfk