January 31, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 13

Exodus 13:3  for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place:

Exodus 13:8  And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:9  And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.

Exodus 13:14  By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

Exodus 13:16  And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.

The LORD does so much for us by strength of hand, to show Himself strong on our behalf.  Do I even notice when His hand is working around me?  Or am I blind, until I am overwhelmed and finally come to Him, laying my burden at His feet.  In weakness I cry, “Lord, work on my behalf.  I cannot do it alone.  I need you.”  And then He tenderly responds, “I have been working.  Didn’t you see my hand in your circumstances?  I have been waiting for you to bring this to me.  Why did you try to bear it on your own?  Stand back, and watch me work in strength, and do not forget what I do for you.  Teach it to your children.”  Oh, I pray that my children will recognize His hand sooner and easier than I do!

Matthew 21:22 ties right in with this - “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Specific prayer requests -

1. Unmistakable Holy Spirit guidance regarding NYC – for me and for Ben.
2. Wisdom regarding dropping our health care coverage, or that Ben can add us to his policy without a waiting period.
3. Health, especially for Elaine, during the month without health care coverage.

January 30, 2010 Devotions

Exodus 10:2  “And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.”

We are supposed to tell our children the things which God has done in our lives, so that they can see and believe that He is God.  What an awesome responsibility!  Even a child as young as Elaine can intake the Scripture and the things of God.  What a great opportunity I have – a sponge in my own home!  I get to saturate her and shape her world view from God’s eyes.  I must ask the Lord to guide me and Ben as we raise our children for the Lord.

Matthew 20:1-20 – the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  The ones who had worked all day were upset that they were paid the same amount as those who worked but an hour.  But is not God just in all that He does?  Do I have any right to look at others around me and say, “That’s not fair.”  Or, “Why were they chosen and not me?”  Or, “Why do they get the spotlight?  I’m a better person.”  I know I struggle with this at church many times.  It used to be about piano playing, but I learned not to be jealous over that in my Hymn Playing class at ABC.  Now I am jealous for my husband, because I think he is a better person or more qualified than some other men in the church.  And yet the others seem to get recognized by the Pastor or commended from the pulpit, or lifted up as godly.  I must trust that the Lord knows what He is doing, and if others seem to get more honor or opportunity, it is because He has designed it so.  I must not complain that He is not fair and just, for He is.

January 29, 2010 Devotions

 

Exodus 8:10 b: “…that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God.”  How true it is that I serve a God unlike any other!  He is good, loving, patient, kind, yet He is holy, just, and true.  I want it to be true, as did Moses, that those around me can know – by looking at my life – that there is none like unto the LORD my God.

While I'm sure it was hard for the Israelites to be in bondage in Egypt, God was using even that for good.  Had they not been in bondage, there would have been no signs before Pharaoh as Moses entreated for their release.  But what was the purpose of the signs before Pharaoh?  To show that there is none like Him in all the earth!  He showed Himself to Pharaoh and gave him the opportunity to repent, but Pharaoh hardened His heart.  I may be going through something unpleasant, or undesirable, or even tragic, but the LORD can and will use it in the lives of those around me to show that there is none like Himself.  What an awesome God I serve!

But sometimes the trials and circumstances in my life may be for my own benefit, as in Matthew 14:23-34.  The disciples were sent into the storm to test and prove their faith.  Jesus showed His power and then asked, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  They had forgotten so soon Who their Master was, but He came to them walking on the water.  Even in the darkest times of life, Jesus is there beside me, watching over me, protecting me, and growing my faith.

Exodus 8:19 b: “…This is the finger of God…”  What an awesome thought.  The Egyptian magicians looked at what God had done, and they knew it was God who had done it.  They saw the finger of God at work around them.

Exodus 8:23 – there should be a notable difference between the people of God and the people of the world.

Matthew 16:24-26  “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”