God My Portion And Cup

January 26, 2013            Exod 4:1–6:13, Matt 16:21–17:13, Ps 16:5–11, Prov 3:7–9

Exodus 4:1-6:13

What excuses do you use to not do what God is calling you to do?

Moses was afraid of failure and rejection. I think we all are to some extent. He said I have no standing among the people and I am not gifted to do that. God has said was the Great I AM and Moses basically said he is not. He lacked faith, but God had answers for all his fears.

What is holding you back? What fears do you have that keep you from being God’s representative?

It is a bit sad that the chosen leader of God’s people had not circumcised his youngest son. God apparently disciplined Moses through deathly sickness not because He hated Moses, but because He wanted to bring Moses to the truth. A lesson is to be learned here, a leader must first set things right in his own household before he can effectively lead God’s people. This was also a warning for all of God’s people. Moses was the leader, but God held all people to the same standard of circumcision.

Zipporah, Moses’ realized what was going on and took action. She took a flint knife and reluctantly circumcised her son. It is clear that she detested the practice of circumcision. It was appear that she returned to her father’s house after this.

We do not know why Moses had not circumcised his son. Perhaps it was to keep peace in the house? However, when he did what he was commanded to do God forgave him and his sickness left. It was at this point Moses was ready to go back home and lead his people.

Chapter 5

7 times God commands Pharaoh to let His people to go. Why did Pharaoh have so little respect for God? How do you think today’s world leaders would respond to a prophet of God?

Chapter 6

The stage had been set for a showdown between God and Pharaoh (and the Egyptian gods).

God reminded the people of His promises. Why do we need to reminded of the promises so often?

Matthew 16:21-17:13

Jesus seems rather harsh with Peter why?

Jesus asks some very probing questions here. What is a person’s soul worth? How easy it is to allow the things of this world to get in the way of our ultimate goal of heaven.

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? Are you doing this?

Chapter 17

What was the purpose of the Transfiguration?

Why Moses and Elijah?

How does this text complete the story of Moses?

What is the significance of what God the Father says in this text?

Psalm 16:5-11

How is God your portion and cup?

Jesus’ whole earthly life was guided by the extreme desire to do the will of the Father? Could the same be said of you?

This Psalm is quoted in Acts 2:25-28 and 13:35 in reference to the Messiah. This Psalm foretold that Jesus was raise from the grave. We know that He is the first fruits of the Resurrection. Do you have the faith to know that you too will live even though you die?

Proverbs 3:7-9

What are some practical blessings of fearing the Lord?

We are commanded to honor God with our tithe. Do you do this? If so, do you do it as a cheerful giver? If not what is your justification?

Pray today for those that are preparing for tomorrow’s worship. Specifically this week please pray for those that will teach in Sunday school. Pray that they will be well prepared able to inspire others be more like Jesus.

Pray about what is holding you back from serving God, what excuses do you make?

Meditate on the greatness of Christ in His glorified form. Pray about how you can put Him first in your life.

Pray for strength to know and do the will of God in your life.

Pray about your giving and the motives behind it.

The Honor To Pray For Others

Today I am praying specifically for three of my students at MACU. Each gave me some specific things to pray about for them. One of the realities of life is when we care about people we want to help them. The help that so many need is beyond my capabilities. However, we serve a God is is all-powerful and can do much more than we can ask or imagine. Thus, it could be argued that the most loving thing we could possibly do from someone is pray for them. I can't heal broken relationships, but God can. All I can do is seek to be a minister of reconciliation. I can't heal lungs or cancer, but God can. I can't mend broken hearts, but God can. I can't control the weather, but God can. My point is I serve a God that answers my prayers. 

I have seen the power of prayer in my life on numerous occasions. I can think of times when God has opened doors to talk to someone about their salvation. As an introvert that struggles to do such things, believe me it is answered prayer. There have been times that doctors said there is little to no hope, but healing took place. I have many stories I could tell regarding healing, weather, attitudes, and such that I can only give God the credit for. So today I pray with the expectation that God is going to answer my prayers as long as I pray in His will. 

It is an honor to pray for these students. While I do not feel comfortable saying their names or requests, I do ask that you pray for them. Pray that God would guide their paths and that they would intentionally enjoy the journey along the way. Pray for their marriages and their ability to juggle all that life puts before them. Pray that they can feel the Presence of the Lord at all times, for it leads to a peace like none other. Pray that they can thirst for righteousness and hunger for God's Word. Pray that God will prepare them to do great things in His Kingdom and that they would position themselves to be all they are called to be. 

What an honor it is to pray for them today, please join me. If I can pray for you let me know.

Question: Tell me of a time in which you know God answered your prayer, please. I want to share great prayer stories with one of my classes in a couple of weeks. Thank you in advanced and I look forward to hearing your stories of God's greatness.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

January 25, 2013            Exod 1–3, Matt 16:1–20, Ps 16:1–4, Prov 3:5–6

The key verses of Exodus are 19:4–6a: “You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.”

There are many times this book foreshadows what is to come through Christ and the New Testament. Let me give you a few examples:

1. The office of high priest is an important concept. The book of Hebrews frequently refers to the ministry of the high priest and the superior ministry of our high priest Jesus.

2. Baptism is likened to the crossing of the Red Sea in 1 Corinthians 10:2.

3. Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7).

4. Manna was bread from heaven which Jesus professed himself to be (John 6:48–51).

5. The rock from which water sprang forth foreshadowed the water of life provided by Christ (1 Cor 10:4).

The Tabernacle seen in Exodus is spoken of many times in the New Testament as representing aspects of what was to come.

1. The bronze altar. Hebrews declares that Christ is the Christian’s altar (Heb 13:10).

2. The bronze laver is used in Titus 3:5 to portray baptism.

3. The incense altar points to the prayers of the saints of God (Rev 8:3–4).

4. The golden lampstand points to Christ the light of the world, and to the Christians who reflect that light.

5. The table of showbread seems to be a type of Christ, the bread of life, and of the Lord’s table which commemorates the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor 10:21).

6. The holy of holies was a picture of heaven into which the Christian’s high priest, Jesus, has entered upon his ministry (Heb 9:24; 10:34).

It is also noteworthy to see the comparisons between Moses and Jesus. This is seen most in the Gospel Matthew as it was written to Jewish people. Moses was a prophet (Acts 3:22); a priest (Ps. 99:6, Heb. 7:24); a servant (Ps. 105:26, Matt. 12:18); a shepherd (Ex. 3:1, John 10:11–l4); a mediator (Ex. 33:8–9, 1 Tim. 2:5); and a deliverer (Acts 7:35, 1 Thes. 1:10). In his character, he was meek (Num. 12:3, Matt. 11:29), faithful (Heb. 3:12), obedient, and mighty in word and deed (Acts 7:22, Mark 6:2). In his history, Moses was a son in Egypt and was in danger of being killed (Matt. 2:14ff), but was providentially cared for by God. He chose to suffer with the Jews rather than reign in Egypt (Heb. 11:24–26, Phil. 2:1–11). Moses was rejected by his brothers the first time, but received the second time; and, while rejected, he gained a Gentile bride (picturing Christ and the church). Moses condemned Egypt, and Christ condemned the world. Moses delivered God’s people through the blood, as did Christ on the cross (Luke 9:31). Moses led the people, fed the people, and carried their burdens. The contrast, of course, is that Moses did not take Israel into the Promised Land; Joshua had to do that. “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

Exodus 1-3

Exodus 1 begins where Genesis ends.

A new dynasty comes to power and with it a new policy toward the Jewish people. History tells us that the eighteenth dynasty had to force out a foreign people to get their power. They were not going to take a chance of another foreign force threatening their power, thus the Jewish people become slaves.

How could God use this to His glory?

Why did God allow this to happen?

We are called to follow the law of the land, unless it defies the law of God. We must obey God before any man. Thus the women could not kill the baby boys. Satan is a murder, but his scheme did not work nor did it work some 1400 years later with Herod. Pharaoh wanted to babies to be drowned, but when God intervened years later Pharaoh would lose his first born boy and his army would be drowned. We reap what we sow. 

What are some examples today in and in the near past of when we should disobey the government to follow the law of God?

Chapter 2

There can be no doubt that God’s hand is all over this situation. The babies were to be killed in the Nile, but it is through the Nile that Moses is saved. The Hebrew babies were hated but the tears of the baby Moses broke the heart of the princess. His own mother became is nurse. There is irony, love, and Divine Sovereignty seen all through this text.

Were there long term consequences for Moses’ actions?

What was the purpose of the forty years of Moses being a shepherd? What did he learn during this time? How did this prepare him for what was to come?

Forty years is a long time to prepare, eighty is even longer. However, God’s timing is perfect. Our patience is often so different than God’s. What is God preparing you for in your present situation?

Chapter 3

What is the significance of the burning bush?

Why would Moses have reason to be afraid?

Moses is given the Divine name of God, what does it mean?

God outlines what is to come to Moses, why does He do this?

Matthew 16:1-20

The Pharisees and Sadducees were united against Jesus. It is amazing how a common enemy can bring enemies together. If only we could realize that we do have a common enemy in Satan and his dominion think what we could accomplish as God’s people.

One of the problems of the religious leaders was they were so concerned with the physical that they were blind to the spiritual. Are you sometimes like this as well?

In what way were the disciples only looking at the physical and missing the spiritual?

Please note that rock that Jesus refers to is the confession of faith, not Peter.

The keys to the kingdom were used in Acts 2 (Jewish), Acts 8 (Samaritans), Acts 10 (Gentiles).

Psalm 16:1-4

What can we learn from these verses?

Proverbs 3:5-6

These verses give a great promise of God’s leading if we do what things?

Are you doing these things?

Pray today for discernment to see what God is preparing you to do.

Pray that you can see the spiritual and not be overwhelmed by the material.

Pray and consider the two verses from Proverbs.